
A Place for Mom is on a mission to spread the word about the benefits of pet-friendly assisted living. We would also like to award those assisted living communities in the West Palm Beach, Florida area who already offer this purrr-fect, paws-tastic senior living option.
West Palm Beach, Florida assisted living can offer more than a healthy dose of Vitamin D, these days. Many communities also allow furry companions to reside in their care. And there are many health benefits, not to mention, support for the emotional well-being associated with seniors having furry companions:
Today dogs and cats are part of the assisted living picture. Visitors of West Palm Beach assisted living communities can see dogs on leashes, happily following their elderly owners; or cats napping on laps as their prideful owners stroke their fur. It’s also common to see residents visiting other residents who have pets on a ‘social call’ as the pets give them a fun reason for the visit. One West Palm Beach assisted living resident talks about her lovely feline companion: “He almost talks. He knows what I’m saying,” said Pritchard, an 88-year-old widow with no children. She’s talking about O’Reily, a black and white cat she shares a room with at John Knox Village in Pompano Beach.
While some seniors bring their pets to assisted living communities, others adopt them as companions once they’ve moved in. “It’s traumatic enough to have to come from your independent apartment to one room here,” said Melodie Fritzinger, Administrator of John Knox Village’s Gardens West assisted living center. Being pet-friendly “is good for our residents and makes things more homelike,” she said.
But it’s important to do your research as communities have specific pet policies with weight and breed restrictions. While many communities allow dogs, cats, birds and fish, and have Pet Coordinators to help with the pets’ care; the individual community policies do differ.
Contact the West Palm Beach, Florida pet-friendly communities below for their specific pet policy information: