Help With Caring For A Pet
Seniors May Worry About Leaving A Pet
Gretchen Heuring | ElderThink | 8.24.10
Older people might be anxious about traveling or a hospital visit because it means leaving a pet behind. It's not unusual for an elder to worry about what would happen to his pet if it is left alone because the owner is injured, becomes seriously ill, or the pet outlives him.
There are a couple of things the owner can do to help reduce this worry:
Carry a small card that describes the pet and gives it's name and any special instructions for care. Contact information for a friend or neighbor who would assist in caring for the pet could go on the card too.
Put a copy of these instructions on the door of the refrigerator. First responders, who come to our homes in emergency situations are trained to look on refrigerator doors for instructions or information.
When preparing this information, try to consider what a stranger would need. Where exactly is the leash or important pet medication most likely to be found?
And last but not least, talk to a veterinarian about this concern. There are non-profit programs such as Angels4 Animals that can help.
