Caring for a beloved pet shouldn’t have to end with a move to a retirement home—and fortunately, it doesn’t have to at many retirement communities today. Country Meadows is among the senior living communities that welcome pets and encourage new residents to bring them along as part of their life in a senior living community.
Pet ownership at senior communities is on the rise
We shouldn’t be surprised that, more and more, seniors who live or contemplate living in retirement home communities want to share their life with a pet. A national pet owners survey released this year by the American Pet Products Association says that 65 percent of U.S. households own one or more pets, compared to 56 percent in 1988.
Studies have shown that pets can help people improve their health and raise their spirits. The benefits of pet companionship are evident in the smiles of contentment of senior pet owners. That’s why all Country Meadows campuses provide house pets for residents, visitors and employees to enjoy, as well as therapy pets who visit often.
Pet owners value our Pet Care Program
At Country Meadows, not only do we provide the best care for our residents, but we extend the same effort to their pets as well. With our individualized Pet Care Program, we can help residents care for their pets according to their needs. Our pet care coordinators provide services including walking, feeding, changing litter, giving medication, brushing, cleaning and laundering. Residents truly value these services. Coordinator Sharron McIntyre says, “Last year was a bad winter, but our pet owners didn’t feel that they had to go out in the cold and risk falling on the ice because I could walk the dogs for them.”
Advice for pet owners
Whether you live with a pet in a senior living community or within your private home, Country Meadows has tips to help you avoid health and safety risks and enjoy life with your pet.
We also suggest, if pet ownership is important to you when living in a senior community that you ask questions about it before choosing a retirement community. What is your policy on pets? What are the limitations? Are there additional fees? Does your staff provide assistance with pets?
Welcome, pets, to Country Meadows
With research demonstrating that senior citizens benefit from regular contact with animals, we welcome pets at all of our senior independent living communities, personal care residences and our assisted living facility in Maryland. In addition, our two Pennsylvania nursing homes, located in Bethlehem and Pittsburgh-South Hills, host pet therapy visitors on a regular basis.
At Country Meadows, we pride ourselves in being senior-friendly, but we like to think of ourselves as pet-friendly as well. Whether you are a pet-owner or not, we want you to know that whatever is important to you in senior living is important to us as well. Please visit any of our retirement home communities—10 in Pennsylvania and one in Frederick, MD. Please contact us to request information or to schedule a visit at any of our locations.
Country Meadows
