According to Livability.com, Cedar Rapids is the best city in Iowa to visit with dogs. It's home to Cheyenne Park, a dog-friendly green space with almost 14 acres of fenced recreation yards. It also has Indian Creek Nature Center, offering over 5 miles of trails to explore with pups.
Overall, Cedar Rapids is a pet-friendly city, with many other establishments, from bars to restaurants, welcoming pets.
Best of all, pet-friendly assisted living awaits seniors in this beautiful, charming city that serves as the county seat of Linn County, IA. So, if you or an older loved one is considering transitioning to a retirement village providing compassionate care and support for activities of daily living (ADL), our warm and pet-welcoming community, Prairie Hills at Cedar Rapids, is happy to help.
In this guide, we'll explore the benefits of pet-friendly senior living that you can expect, so please read on.
Loneliness is a feeling of disconnection, being alone, or not being close to others. Isolation refers to a state of not having support from, contact, or relationships with others.
Both are common among American adults, with the U.S. CDC reporting that one in three feels lonely, while one in four lacks social and emotional support. The health agency also says that older adults have an elevated risk of loneliness and isolation. Left unaddressed, these two can lead to more problems, including a higher risk of developing:
One of the many benefits of aging with pets is that they can help mitigate loneliness and isolation, especially among older adults who live alone. The constant presence and unconditional love they bring can give seniors a sense of companionship, belonging, and feeling needed. They're also loyal and provide comfort, listening to their humans' worries without judgment.
Studies back these claims up. For instance, a PetHealthNetwork article mentioned a study that has shown how pets can cheer up lonely seniors and boost their quality of life. The study's researchers discovered that older adults with pets were 36% less likely to be lonely than their non-pet owner counterparts.
Such emotional wellness benefits are among the top reasons our community welcomes furry family members. Residents have various pet-friendly housing options to choose from when they transition to Prairie Hills at Cedar Rapids.
Responsible pet owners, particularly those with dogs, know that exercising their furry family members is crucial to their pets' health and well-being. It's not surprising, then, that pet-owning folks, including older adults, are more likely to engage in physical activity. By ensuring their pets exercise, they themselves get to move more, too.
An analysis of studies published in Frontiers supports the above statement, as it found that dog owners aged 50 and above were less likely to be sedentary than those who didn't own dogs. They were also more likely to adhere to weekly physical activity recommendations. Furthermore, the act of walking dogs regularly showed an association with:
Therefore, aging with pets, which entails caring for them and ensuring they get enough exercise, can help older adults lead healthier, more active, and more engaged lives, too.
At Prairie Hills at Cedar Rapids, we further motivate our senior residents to become more active with their furry family members by giving them access to pet-friendly amenities. We have lovely gardens and outdoor spaces, for starters. We also work hard to curate a dynamic calendar of daily physical and social activities and events for them.
Declining mental health is common among the elderly population, an issue often influenced by the loss of loved ones and living alone. Unfortunately, it can lead to health problems like:
The good news is that seniors in Cedar Rapids can protect their mental health with the help, love, and companionship of their beloved pets. Their furry family members' steadfast loyalty, unconditional love, and unwavering attention can bring happiness and steer them away from mental health woes.
Pets are also excellent companions that create many opportunities for recreation and socialization. For example, when seniors take their dogs out for walks, their pets are likely to become conversation starters. Pet-owning older adults can then use this as an opportunity to socialize, engage, and connect with others, further lowering their risk of feeling lonely and isolated.
As people age, the risk of cognitive impairment increases. According to the National Institute on Aging, factors like genetics, environment, and lifestyle can all contribute to a decline in one's thinking skills and ability to perform daily tasks.
The good news is that pets offer seniors many brain health benefits, given that their presence, companionship, and love can help:
All those perks contribute to overall physical, mental, and cognitive well-being among seniors. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) even says that researchers associate having a pet with a slower rate of cognitive decline. The APA also says that another study has shown a link between pet ownership and a lower risk of dementia.
From mitigating loneliness and isolation to promoting a more engaged senior life and boosting mental and brain health, these are just some of the many benefits of aging with pets. Fortunately, you won't have to look far and wide to find a pet-friendly assisted living community in Cedar Rapids.
At Prairie Hills at Cedar Rapids, we welcome seniors and their furry family members with open arms. In our assisted living enclave, we encourage our residents to age healthily and gracefully with pets, regular exercise and socialization, and a host of other on-site amenities that foster well-being, including chef-prepared meals and tailored supportive services.
Speak with us today to arrange a tour of our senior living community in Cedar Rapids, IA!