The Benefits of Having Pets as Companions in Independent Living

Independent living communities offer various benefits, such as a maintenance-free living, safe and comfortable apartment units, and a luxurious lifestyle. However, despite these perks, you can still fall prey to feelings of isolation and loneliness, especially at the beginning of your move when you don’t know anyone in the community. 

Companionship plays a significant role in helping you combat these feelings and preventing issues like depression, cognitive stagnation, and overall well-being. If you’re looking for a loyal companion to be your best friend on this journey, pets offer a great source of companionship, filled with unconditional love and emotional support. 

In this post, we’ll discuss four advantages of having a pet as your companion in an independent living community. Read along!

Advantages of Having Pets in Independent Living

Improves Physical Health

When you are young, you’re energetic and ambitious and have set goals of maintaining a lean, muscular, or healthy body. However, with age, you may lose motivation to exercise regularly and keep up with your health, especially when you feel you have nothing to look forward to. 

One of the best perks of having a pet or a furry friend is that they give you an excuse to go out and engage in physical activities. Adventurous pets like cats and dogs require you to take them out on a walk. These daily walks quickly contribute to a lot of weekly physical activity. According to research published by Scientific Reports, people with dogs spend an average of two-hundred more minutes walking compared to those who don’t have a dog. 

If you have dogs to take them out for daily walks, you can easily meet the recommended physical activity requirement, which is 150 minutes of weekly moderate-intensity aerobic activity.

Better Mental and Emotional Health

Pets are cute creatures that often do adorable things, like when your cat headbutts your hand or when your dog excitedly circles you. Sometimes, when you’re sad and feeling alone, these little moments can cheer you up and boost your mood. Such moments and frequent interaction with your furry friends can improve your mental and emotional well-being.  

Moreover, pets can reduce stress levels in many ways and make you feel at home. For example, when your cat snuggles with you on the bed, you will feel relief by sensing soft paws and hearing never-ending purr sounds. 

According to a survey by the American Heart Association, 95% of pet parents rely on their pets for stress relief. Regular interaction and engagement with pets will improve your mental and emotional health and prevent you from developing chronic diseases associated with stress, such as heart disease and stroke.

Stimulates Cognitive Functions

While pets are great for your mental and physical health, they also unknowingly help you stimulate your cognitive abilities. Pets are like children who depend on you for various things, such as food, affection, and playtime. Keeping a pet will encourage you to stick to a routine and complete tasks daily. 

On days when you forget these tasks, your pets will remind you. For example, your cat will meow in your ears when you forget to feed her, or your dog will fetch its leash when it’s time to go for a walk. 

On a surface level, it may seem like a usual routine, but sticking to any routine will keep your brain engaged and stimulated. As a result, you will maintain your cognitive functions and retain memory. 

Encourages Social Interaction and Building Connections 

Many pet parents are quick to befriend each other based on their shared pet ownership experience. Having a pet in an independent living community will help you socially interact with like-minded residents who are in the same boat as you. Your conversations will start with “Can I pet that dog?” and eventually turn into strong friendships. Next, you can attend social events with your new friends and further promote your social life.

Looking for a Safe and Comfortable Retirement Home to Move With Your Pets? Explore Asher Point Independent Living of Montgomery 

With age, we may witness losses and events that break our hearts or make us feel alone and isolated in this world. In hard times, pets become our companions, providing unwavering love and emotional support that helps us in ways we don’t even imagine. 

If you’re looking for a safe and comfortable independent living option to move with your furry friend, consider exploring Asher Point Independent Living of Montgomery. Located in Montgomery, Alabama, our community offers pet-friendly floor plans, including private and comfortable studios and apartments. 

Schedule a tour and visit us today to learn more about our offerings.