Does the person have pets that they are caring for? For many people who live alone, with or without dementia, pets become trusted companions. The value of pets in promoting a person’s mental health should not be overlooked. For some individuals living alone with dementia, caring for a pet may become impossible on their own. Meals on Wheels America (2017) offers funding through grants to local Meals on Wheels organizations to assist elderly and disabled homebound clients care for their pets. It may be possible to bring in outside volunteers to care for pets. For example, in Sacramento, California, offers older adults and those with limited mobility opportunities for assistance to keep their pets with them, including a list of mobile veterinary clinics and pet-walking services. The Humane Society (2018) offers a listing of veterinary assistance and other services that could be useful for people with dementia who would like to keep a pet at home. If it becomes unhealthy, for the person or the pet, to care for the pet in the home, it is important to recognize that removing a pet from the home is an area of tremendous stress for the person living alone with dementia. The person will need reassurance that the pet is going to a good home and may benefit from other options for animal companionship. Visiting pet programs that go into individual homes may be able to fill some of the void left by the removal of the pet. Therapy Dogs International has a Home Visit Program that brings therapy dogs into personal homes (TDI, 2018). Local visiting pet programs may also offer home visiting services (DogPlay, 2012).
Does the person have pets that they are caring for? For many people who live alone, with or without dementia, pets become trusted companions. The value of pets in promoting a person’s mental health should not be overlooked. For some individuals living alone with dementia, caring for a pet may become impossible on their own. Meals on Wheels America (2017) offers funding through grants to local Meals on Wheels organizations to assist elderly and disabled homebound clients care for their pets. It may be possible to bring in outside volunteers to care for pets. For example, in Sacramento, California, offers older adults and those with limited mobility opportunities for assistance to keep their pets with them, including a list of mobile veterinary clinics and pet-walking services. The Humane Society (2018) offers a listing of veterinary assistance and other services that could be useful for people with dementia who would like to keep a pet at home. If it becomes unhealthy, for the person or the pet, to care for the pet in the home, it is important to recognize that removing a pet from the home is an area of tremendous stress for the person living alone with dementia. The person will need reassurance that the pet is going to a good home and may benefit from other options for animal companionship. Visiting pet programs that go into individual homes may be able to fill some of the void left by the removal of the pet. Therapy Dogs International has a Home Visit Program that brings therapy dogs into personal homes (TDI, 2018). Local visiting pet programs may also offer home visiting services (DogPlay, 2012).