Dogs are magic. I feel that I can state this as fact. I’ve seen it.  As we baby-boomers head into the realm of retirement and provide care for our aging parents I want to share some of the benefits that I’ve seen my dogs provide to my mom.  But first, let me introduce my mom – she’s 83 and as stubborn as they come.  My mom is determined to live as independently as possible for as long as possible – which can sometimes cause problems for her and her kids – but I still admire her drive to do things as she wants – the way she wants.  She’s a tough old goat. (I say that with love!)   

1. Evaluate your dog. If you have a young puppy or a rambunctious young dog their puppy teeth or jumping might actually present a hazard to your elderly family member.  Use good common sense.  If the dog won’t provide a calm presence – you might want to wait until you’ve finished training and the dog is not a risk.
2. Before bringing the dog into the environment, take a few minutes to do a very quiet, inconspicuous scan of the room.  Sometimes elderly people will accidentally drop their medications and not notice.  You’ll want to make sure that there are no pills on the floor that your dog might accidentally consume.
3. Pick the right time of day for your parent.  As people age, their schedules change too.  Doctor visits are more frequent and naps become an important factor in their day.  Be considerate of their schedule and call first to ensure that you will not be interrupting their day.
4. Supervise your visit.  Elderly parents should not be treated like children, but their vision and their balance isn’t what it used to be.  You’ll want to ensure that your dog will not become a trip hazard or that their play doesn’t become too over the top for your elderly parent.  A little fun will go a long way – but supervision is necessary to monitor such events so you can gently intervene before a problem arises. Safety First!
5. One thing that I try to do when I visit is bring a meal to share.  Our visit can sometimes change their daily schedule and I notice that my parents don’t plan their meals until the last minute.  By bringing them a meal you not only get to enjoy your time with them, but you also remove some of the stress associated with changing their schedule.  They don’t have to worry about dinner and can relax and enjoy your visit more.
6. Keep your visits relatively short. As I said, daily schedules become an important factor for elderly people.  I find that if my visit goes over 2-3 hours that my mom can start to become agitated and nervous.  I have noticed several visual queues and behaviors that my parents exhibit when I’m nearing the limit of my visit.  I heed those warning signs and the dogs and I pack up and head home at the first sign.  An agitated senior might not welcome your future visits no matter how beneficial they are. 
7. Remember to enjoy your time together.  Take note of the joy that the dogs bring to both you and your parent and enjoy watching them play and visit together.  These moments become less frequent as our parents age – so take note and enjoy them now! 

If you enjoy spreading the wealth of well-being to the aging (and other age groups in need) you may also consider getting your dog registered as a certified therapy dog. Therapy dogs are welcome in many assisted living environments, nursing homes and hospitals.