Aged Care, Home Care and Retirement Living

Can You Keep Your Companion?

The bond between older Australians and their pets is profound - but transitioning into residential aged care can challenge that connection. We unpack the benefits of allowing pets, current limitations, regulation updates, and practical tips to keep the friendship alive.

The Wellbeing Power of Pets in Aged Care

• Pets reduce loneliness, stress, anxiety, and encourage social interaction and physical activity.

• Living with or regularly interacting with pets improves emotional, cognitive, and physical health for residents.

• Pet visitation or pet-therapy programs lift the spirits of residents and staff alike.

The Policy Gap - When Pets Are Not Welcome

• Only 18% of residential aged care facilities allow residents to keep pets, despite overwhelming support from older Australians.

• Just 9% of in-home care providers offer any pet-friendly services, leaving many owners with painful choices.

• Sheltered due to ageing or transitioning into care account for thousands of pet surrenders each year.

Emerging Reforms & Pet-Friendly Models

• Victoria has passed reforms preventing unreasonable restrictions on pet ownership in retirement villages, a major step forward for older pet owners.

• Facilities like Regency Green in South Australia have implemented “pet companion rooms”, enabling residents and pets to remain together safely.

• Providers such as Lifeview in Victoria encourage pet companionship, observing quicker adjustment, emotional recovery, and social benefits.

How to Find or Support Pet-Friendly Aged Care

1. Check facility policies - some homes welcome pets under specific rules.

2. Ask about pet programs such as therapy visits or permanent animal access.

3. Vet the pet’s suitability - vaccination, behaviour, care needs, and resident capacity are key.

4. Leverage advocacy - organisations like Australia CAN campaign, provide pet policies, and conduct public surveys to improve norms.

FAQs About Pets in Aged Care

Q: Why are pets often not allowed?
Concerns about hygiene, safety, staffing, and regulations often lead to outright bans.

Q: Can pets improve mental health for residents with dementia?
Yes - pets and pet therapy can spark memory, calm anxiety, and encourage engagement.

Q: How can families advocate for pet companionship?
Share stories, push for policy reviews, and support pet-friendly pilot programs.

Pets are more than animals - they are therapists, companions, and motivation. Yet, most aged care providers in Australia still limit or ban their presence. As reforms and models of pet inclusion expand, now is the time to advocate for policies that honour the emotional bonds between older Australians and their pets.

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Article posted:Oct 23, 2024
Category: Moving into aged care