Pets Provide Comfort and Companionship for Elderly

You remember the way a dog's tail wagged the moment you walked through the door. No judgment. No conditions. Just pure, uncomplicated joy — directed entirely at you. That kind of love doesn't matter less as you age. It matters more.

For millions of older adults, a pet isn't a luxury or a hobby. It's a lifeline. A reason to get up in the morning. A warm body curled beside them on the couch when the house feels too quiet. A companion who asks nothing except to be near.

And the science backs up what pet owners have always known in their bones. Dr. Thomas Schweinberg, staff neuropsychologist at the Lindner Center of HOPE in Mason, Ohio, has seen this firsthand. Research shows that older adults who interact with pets experience measurable health benefits — lower blood pressure, reduced stress, greater social engagement, and a stronger sense of purpose. But beyond the data, there's something harder to quantify: a dog or cat can give an older person back something aging sometimes quietly takes away — the feeling of being needed.

Dr. Thomas Schweinberg tells LTC News that older adults who interact with pets have a positive influence on their quality of life.

It has been well-established that pets have a therapeutic and often calming impact on people in general. However, there is also evidence that, for the elderly, owning and interacting with pets can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, increase social interaction, and increase physical activity. —  Dr. Thomas Schweinberg

Health Benefits with Pet Ownership

Schweinberg says these benefits are particularly helpful to the elderly, who often begin to limit their activities and increasingly withdraw from the interpersonal world around them. Additionally, interacting with pets provides the elderly with the opportunity to provide nurturing attention to another being.

Very often, older patients have long not been able to offer nurturance to others and instead have become merely the recipients of nurturing attention and treatment. Being able to provide such nurturance gives them a much-needed sense of purpose, as well as feeling the appreciation and love that their pets have for them. —  Dr. Thomas Schweinberg

He says just being able to pet a dog and see its tail wag with delight and appreciation can provide such an indescribable sense of satisfaction and joy for a person in a long-term care situation, be it in their own home, assisted living, or a nursing home. These people are the ones who usually have difficulty finding joy in their everyday lives and can find joy and purpose by taking care of a pet.

Pets offer love and companionship. 

Veterinarians See How Pets Benefit Elderly

Dr. Michelle Radwanski, a well-known veterinarian at Argonne Animal Hospital in Lemont, Illinois, tells LTC News that she has seen firsthand the benefits of pets in her 18+ years of practice.

Radwanski says she became a veterinarian because of the influence her family dog had on her as she grew up. A Shih Tzu named Dusty lived to the age of 17 and was a true companion.

 She showed me unconditional love when other did not," she explains. "She was my best friend every single day and was always by my side. I was changed by this little five-pound dog and these same feelings are what I see when seniors decide to care for a pet. — Dr. Michelle Radwanski

Radwanski sees how pets bring joy back to their lives. They get to experience unconditional love and have a friend by them each day.

Animals improve our mood, improve our health and make us smile more.— Dr. Michelle Radwanski — Dr. Michelle Radwanski

Social Interaction and Well-Being

I believe there is a pet for everyone. Every pet has a place in a family, but it has to be a right fit. 

Radwanski encourages a family to consider the person's ability to take care of the pet and their needs and limitations. She says older people with limitations can have difficulty providing the right care for a pet. 

There are several breeds that are better - Read more about which breeds are great at this on PetKeen.

For those with physical limitations, consider adopting an adult or senior cat that can be content just sitting on their lap for a majority of the day. — Dr. Michelle Radwanski

Exercising the pet can be as easy as using a laser pen. The cat can be stimulated and get that activity they need without major effort from the older person. If the older family member can walk, the process of walking a dog can be good for both the pet and the person. Radwanski suggests adopting an older dog that won't pull the person as they walk.

Families Should Consider Pet's Health as Well

Just as your older family member's health changes, so does the pet's health change. Radwanski says the animal's health needs also need to be part of the equation when placing a pet with your older family member. A local veterinarian or shelter can help you match your family member with a new animal friend.

Many studies have shown that people who live with animals have lower blood pressure, lower triglycerides, and lower cholesterol than those living without. Depression is also lessened. This can be a good match for both humans and animals.

I have seen how pets have changed people's lives. They give you a reason to live for every day. The allow you to keep a routine. They make you smile. They give you stories. They give you someone to care for.

Long-Term Care Facilities and Pets

Moving into a long-term care community doesn't have to mean leaving a beloved pet behind. Today, the majority of assisted living facilities allow residents to bring their pets, though they typically have guidelines around the type, size and temperament of animals they welcome. Most facilities will conduct an initial assessment of the animal before approving the placement — a reasonable step that protects both the resident and the broader community. 

Policies vary by facility, but many now allow small dogs, cats, birds or other small pets, and some also offer pet therapy programs or on-site dog-walking services for residents who need help with physical care. Pet-friendly assisted living communities typically charge additional monthly fees ranging from $25 to $100, plus a one-time deposit of $500 to $2,000, depending on the community. That's a meaningful but manageable cost — and for many residents, a small price for the continuity and comfort a familiar animal provides. 

For those who cannot bring a personal pet, therapy and visiting animal programs fill an important gap. Memory care facilities and skilled nursing homes, while often carrying tighter restrictions on resident-owned pets, frequently incorporate animal-assisted therapy programs with trained therapy animals. These structured visits can be particularly powerful. Research has found that animal-assisted therapy in care settings is associated with reduced anxiety, improved mood and measurable gains in social engagement — benefits that don't require a resident to own the animal at all. 

The transition into long-term care is one of the more emotionally difficult passages a person can face. A pet — whether a companion that moves in alongside a resident or a therapy dog that visits weekly — can anchor a person to a sense of self during that adjustment. A University of Rochester Medical Center study of 830 older adults, published in the journal Aging & Mental Health, found that pet owners were 36 percent less likely to report feeling lonely — even after controlling for whether they lived alone. 

If you're evaluating long-term care options for a family member who has a pet, ask directly about the facility's pet policy before touring. Ask whether pets must pass an assessment, whether size or breed restrictions apply, whether staff can assist with pet care if the resident's physical ability declines, and what happens to the animal if the resident's health changes significantly. The answers will tell you a lot — not just about the facility's pet policy, but about its broader philosophy of care.

You can search and compare local care options, including facilities that support aging in place with in-home caregiving, through the LTC News Caregiver Directory.

Hard to Dispute Benefits of Pet Ownership

Pets can provide a multitude of mental, emotional, and physical health benefits for older adults. Mentally, taking care of a pet can bring an increased sense of purpose and help combat loneliness. Many older adults can appreciate the fact that a pet loves them unconditionally, and it can help them to feel needed. 

On an emotional level, interacting with a pet can increase feelings of well-being and happiness. Physically, taking care of a pet can have many health benefits. Encouraging older family members to own a pet will help them improve their physical health by encouraging exercise and regular walks, as well as by engaging in more social interaction with pet owners. 

Plus, studies have even shown that having a pet can reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure, and even help to reduce cholesterol. 

Furthermore, tending to a pet can help to strengthen manual dexterity, balance, and coordination. Since animals provide unconditional love and companionship, they may be beneficial for older adults who want to stay healthy and happy.

There are several hobbies and activities that older people can take advantage of to stay active and engaged in life. Taking care of pets is one of twenty such activities that experts recommend. 

What You Can Do — Starting Now

Aging well isn't accidental. It's the result of decisions made years — sometimes decades — before they're needed. And while most retirement planning conversations focus on savings accounts and Medicare enrollment dates, the research is clear that some of the most powerful protective factors against the health risks of aging cost very little. A dog at your feet. A cat on your lap. A friend who calls on Tuesday just because.

If you have an older parent or family member, pay attention to the signals. Are they spending most of their days alone? Have they stopped talking about the things that used to bring them joy? Loneliness in older adults doesn't always announce itself loudly. It often looks like withdrawal, slowed thinking, less interest in eating well or staying active. A pet can interrupt that pattern in ways that medication and medical appointments cannot.

Encourage the older adults in your life to consider a companion animal — and help make it practical. Offer to help research pet-friendly breeds suited to their mobility level. Volunteer to assist with veterinary appointments or dog walks if physical limitations are a concern. Help them think through what happens to the pet if their health changes — a conversation worth having before it becomes urgent, not after.

And if a live pet isn't realistic, don't stop there. Regular visits, shared meals, phone calls and connections to community programs all serve the same fundamental need: the feeling of being seen, valued and part of something beyond four walls.

For those still in their planning years, the message is the same.

A retirement plan that only accounts for money isn't a complete plan. The research on aging points consistently in one direction — social connection, physical activity, a sense of purpose and the presence of those who depend on you (including a pet) are not lifestyle extras. They are health infrastructure.

That infrastructure also includes a plan for long-term care. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 56 percent of Americans turning 65 today will need long-term care at some point — meaning help with basic daily activities due to a chronic illness, injury, cognitive decline or the natural progression of aging. Most families are not financially prepared for that reality. Long-term care can mean in-home care, adult day services, assisted living or a nursing home — and the costs are significant and rising.

Long-Term Care Insurance, ideally purchased in your 40s or 50s while you're still healthy enough to qualify, gives you options. It means you're more likely to receive care in a setting of your choosing — including one that lets you keep your pet. It means your family isn't forced into impossible decisions under financial pressure. And it means the years you've spent building a life, and the relationships — human and animal — that make that life worth living, are protected.

Use the LTC News Cost of Care Calculator to see what care costs look like in your area. Visit the LTC News LTC Insurance Learning Center to understand your coverage options. And if someone you love needs care support now, the LTC News Caregiver Directory connects you with quality local providers.

The dog waiting by the door every evening. The cat who knows when you need company. The friend who shows up. None of it happens by accident — and none of it is small.

Ask yourself: What steps are you taking today to make sure the years ahead are lived fully, connected and on your own terms?

Frequently Asked Questions: Pets, Aging, and Long-Term Care

Why are pets especially beneficial for older adults?

Pets provide companionship, emotional support, routine, and a sense of purpose. Research shows that interacting with pets can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, increase physical activity, encourage social interaction, and improve overall quality of life.

Can pets help reduce loneliness in older adults?

Yes. Loneliness and social isolation are significant health concerns for older adults. Studies have found that pet ownership is associated with lower rates of loneliness and can help older adults feel connected, needed, and emotionally supported.

What mental health benefits do pets provide?

Pets can help reduce feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress. Many older adults find comfort in the unconditional love and companionship pets provide, which can improve mood and emotional well-being.

Can pets help lower the risk of cognitive decline?

Research cited in the article suggests that loneliness increases the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment. Because pets can reduce loneliness and encourage engagement, they may indirectly support brain health and cognitive well-being.

How do pets give older adults a sense of purpose?

Caring for a pet allows older adults to nurture another living being. Feeding, grooming, walking, and simply being responsible for a pet can create structure, routine, and a renewed feeling of being needed.

Are there physical health benefits to owning a pet?

Yes. Studies have linked pet ownership to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, reduced stress, increased physical activity, and improved overall health outcomes.

What types of pets are best for older adults?

The best pet depends on an individual's health, mobility, lifestyle, and living situation. Older adults with limited mobility may benefit from an adult or senior cat, while those who can walk regularly may enjoy the companionship and exercise that come with a calm, older dog.

What should families consider before helping an older loved one get a pet?

Families should consider the older adult's physical abilities, financial resources, housing situation, and ability to provide ongoing care. They should also have a plan for who will care for the pet if the owner's health declines.

Should a pet's health needs be part of the decision?

Absolutely. Pets age too and may require veterinary care, medications, and special accommodations. Families should consider both the needs of the older adult and the animal when choosing a companion pet.

Can residents bring pets into assisted living communities?

Many assisted living communities now allow residents to bring pets, although rules vary. Facilities often have restrictions regarding size, breed, temperament, and care responsibilities. Some communities also offer pet-related services and pet-friendly amenities.

What if a loved one cannot bring a personal pet into long-term care?

Many memory care communities, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes offer animal-assisted therapy programs. Therapy animals can provide many of the same emotional and social benefits without requiring residents to assume pet ownership responsibilities.

What questions should families ask a long-term care community about pets?

Ask whether pets are allowed, what restrictions apply, whether the pet must pass an assessment, whether staff can assist with pet care if needed, and what happens if the resident's health changes significantly.

Can pets help older adults stay more active?

Yes. Walking a dog encourages regular exercise, while even indoor activities such as playing with a cat can help maintain mobility, coordination, and daily routines.

What if pet ownership isn't realistic?

Companion animals are only one way to reduce isolation. Regular family visits, phone calls, community involvement, volunteer opportunities, and social programs can also provide meaningful connection and support.

How does long-term care planning help protect the bond between older adults and their pets?

A long-term care plan, including Long-Term Care Insurance, can provide more care options and greater flexibility. Having financial resources available may make it easier to receive care at home or in a pet-friendly setting, helping preserve important human-animal relationships.

Why should pet ownership be part of healthy aging discussions?

Healthy aging involves more than finances and medical care. Research consistently shows that social connection, purpose, physical activity, and companionship are essential to quality of life. For many older adults, pets play an important role in providing all four.