Do Retirement Communities Allow Pets? A Look At Senior Living Pet Policies

Retirement communities are a popular choice for older adults who are looking for a comfortable, low-maintenance, and supportive environment. But for animal lovers who are considering making a senior living move to one of these communities, a common question is: Do retirement communities allow pets?

If you have a beloved pet, it is important to get a thorough understanding of a senior living community’s pet policy before you make your decision. Let’s explore the factors that influence whether or not pets are allowed, and what older adults should consider when bringing a pet with them when they move to a retirement community.

The health benefits of pets

Pets can be an important part of life, offering companionship and emotional support, and they may even provide physical health benefits.

For instance, a 2023 study conducted by researchers at the School of Public Health at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China, examined data on 7,945 people from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA). They found that for older adults living alone, pet ownership was correlated with a slower rate of decline in both verbal memory and verbal fluency.

Other research studies have suggested that older adults who own pets also need fewer trips to the doctor, enjoy lower cholesterol levels, lower their risk of heart disease, and have improved heart disease survival rates. Some studies have even shown that walking or playing with beloved pets can help lower blood pressure and cortisol (a stress hormone) levels.

Types of retirement communities and their pet policies

Adding these potential health benefits on top of people’s love for their pets, it’s understandable that older adults would want to know if they can bring their furry (or scaly or feathered) friends with them should they decide to move to a retirement community. It is also an important consideration for those who must move to a senior living and care community as a result of their specific care needs.

So, are pets allowed in retirement communities? The answer — as with many aspects of senior living — is: It depends. Pet policies in retirement communities can vary widely depending on the type of community, its location, and its individual rules, as well as the individual resident’s living situation.

Here’s a look at some of the most common types of senior living options and how they generally handle residents’ pets.

Independent living communities’ pet policies

55+ independent living communities, which are designed for active older adults who don’t need full-time assistance, are the most likely to allow pets. These communities offer private apartments or cottages and often provide amenities like landscaping, housekeeping, and/or social activities as part of their monthly service fee.

Since residents in independent living are typically more mobile, healthier, and thus able to care for their pets independently, many communities allow pets, but they may have certain restrictions. Common pet policies in independent living communities might include specifications such as:

Size and breed restrictions: Many independent living communities allow pets, but there may be limits on the size or breed of dogs. Smaller breeds, like lap dogs, are usually welcome, while larger breeds may be prohibited.
Number of pets: Some independent living communities may limit the number of pets a resident can have. Typically, no more than one or two pets are allowed.
Pet fees and deposits: Some of these types of senior living communities — particularly rental retirement communities or senior living apartments — will charge a one-time pet fee or require a pet deposit. This helps cover any potential damage or cleaning costs caused by the pet.
Vaccination requirements: Pets may need to be up-to-date on vaccinations, such as rabies shots, and the community may require regular pet health checks.
Behavioral expectations: Some independent living communities may have rules about pets being well-behaved and not disturbing neighbors. For example, excessive barking or aggressive behavior could be grounds for asking a resident to remove a pet.

Pets in assisted living communities

Assisted living communities provide their residents with a higher level of care, including help with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, dressing, and medication management. Because residents may have varying levels of mobility or health, assisted living communities’ policies on pets can be stricter than independent living communities, for instance:

More limited pet options: Many assisted living communities do allow pets, such as cats or small dogs. However, residents may need to prove that they can care for their pet without needing assistance.
Pet care support: Other assisted living communities do provide some assistance with pet care, such as dog walking, though usually for an extra fee. Some communities may also help residents arrange for a pet caregiver who will help with feeding and grooming.
Restrictions based on the owner’s health or safety: In cases where a resident’s health might be at risk — such as an inability to care for the pet properly and safely — the community may have to refuse a pet for a new resident or require an existing resident to rehome their pet.

Pets for residents of memory care communities

Memory care communities and dedicated memory care assisted living units specialize in caring for individuals with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, as well as other cognitive impairments.

While pets can be a source of great comfort for people with cognitive decline, memory care communities are often even more restrictive in their pet policies. There are some scenarios in which residents may be able to bring their own pets, but this is typically less common in memory care due to the level of care required by residents, as well as potential safety concerns for residents and their pets.

More and more memory care communities allow or even encourage the presence of therapy animals, however. Accompanied by an experienced handler, trained therapy animals, like rabbits, dogs, or even horses, will regularly visit memory care residents, providing comfort and emotional support. While some research is inconclusive on the quantifiable health benefits of animal therapy for those with cognitive decline, most agree that memory care residents do enjoy the social interaction and experience improved mood provided by animal therapy.

Pet policies at continuing care retirement communities

Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs or life plan communities) offer their residents a continuum of care services, from independent living to assisted living to full-time skilled nursing care. Since these communities provide different levels of care based on the individual resident’s needs, pet policies can vary depending on the resident’s specific level of care.

For instance, CCRCs may allow pets within independent living residences with similar caveats as discussed above (size/number restrictions, behavioral expectations, pet fees, etc.). Pets may be more limited within the assisted living portion of the community, with restrictions like those noted above. And within the skilled nursing care unit, pets may be highly restricted or prohibited due to health and safety concerns.

But here again, CCRCs are increasingly seeing the low-cost, high-reward advantages of offering pet therapy programs to their residents, regardless of the person’s care requirements. Regularly bringing in therapy animals to designated pet areas brings joy to many people, whether they are completely self-sufficient, require around-the-clock care, or something in between.

Understanding whether a retirement community allows pets

If you have a beloved pet and you’re considering moving into a 55+ independent living retirement community or a senior apartment, evaluate each community on your list for whether your pet will be permitted and comfortable there. For example, if you have a large dog, you may need to find a community that allows larger pets.

Also consider your pet’s activity level since a retirement community with limited outdoor space might not be ideal for an energetic dog. And maybe just as important, consider your activity level. Since many retirement community residences lack private yards, will you have the energy and ability to walk your dog multiple times each day?

Of note, some pet-friendly independent living retirement communities and CCRCs offer amenities like dog parks, pet grooming stations, or pet-sitting services. These amenities can be a huge help if you’re looking to bring a pet with you.

For those moving to a care community (like assisted living or memory care), or for other people with health issues that may affect your ability to care for your pet, consider whether the community offers any assistance with pet care. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that your pet’s presence will not affect the health or wellbeing of other residents (e.g., allergies or phobias).

Factoring pets into your senior living decision

The answer to the question, “Do retirement communities allow pets?” is that it largely depends on the type of community and its policies. Regardless of which retirement community you choose, it’s essential to check their specific pet policies as rules can vary significantly, even between different locations owned by the same organization.

For many older adults, the companionship of a beloved pet is an essential part of their happiness and overall well being. But bear in mind that remaining in one’s current home simply to keep much-loved pets may not be a prudent decision in the long run.

Consider a scenario in which a pet owner suffers a sudden, acute illness or injury, or eventually requires care that cannot be provided in the home. It could mean that pets have to be rehomed if there is no space in a pet-friendly retirement community. For animal-lovers, this may be the best argument for proactively finding and moving to a pet-friendly retirement community — before a care need or serious health issue arises.

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