Last year, my ex-mother-in-law passed away alone in a nursing home. I cannot help but think if she had been allowed to have her dog with her for those last two years of her life, how much better her quality of life would have been.
She suffered greatly from Alzheimer’s disease, and the love of her dog could have given her some peace and comfort during the last hours of her journey here on this planet we call Earth.
I do not know many nursing homes that allow pets, specifically dogs, which makes me appreciate the extreme importance of how I hope to be able to age in place, stay in my home, and, if needed, have in home care services versus spending my last days withering away in a nursing home. Sadly, not only did I see this happen to my ex-mother-in-law but also to my great-grandmother when I was just a child.
After my son watched this happen to his grandmother, he vowed never to let that happen to me. He’s such a good son and an amazing human being filled with love and compassion for his fellow travelers. I am beyond grateful for this adult son of mine!
According to advice from the Nursing Home Abuse Center, “Pets in nursing homes can greatly improve residents’ well-being by reducing stress and encouraging social interactions. Since pet policies vary, it’s important to find out which nursing homes are pet friendly.
- When choosing a nursing home, consider its pet policies. Nursing home pet policies often reflect a facility’s commitment to resident well-being and overall quality of care.
- Personal pets can provide comfort and companionship, significantly improving a resident’s quality of life.
- Some nursing homes allow residents to bring their own pets. It’s important to check each facility’s policy, as they often have guidelines on the types and sizes of pets allowed.
- For example, assisted living facilities may allow residents to own their pets, while skilled nursing homes may not.
- Nursing homes that allow pets often specify the types and sizes of pets allowed, ensuring they are well-behaved and vaccinated.
- Some nursing homes may allow personal pets, while others may only have visiting therapy animals.
- Including pets in everyday life can significantly improve mental health in nursing homes by providing companionship and reducing stress.
- Pet policies are designed to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents, balancing the benefits of animal companionship with maintaining a healthy environment,”.
What is the average age of death for someone with dementia?
My great-grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s when she was around seventy years old and lived with my grandmother, grandfather, aunt, and uncle (who were teenagers). She was able to live with them until she started cooking in the middle of the night and randomly taking off walking miles away from home not knowing where she was. It was too much for my grandmother to keep an eye on her mom 24/7, so unfortunately, my great-grandmother had to go live in a nursing home at seventy-two years old.
She passed away at seventy-six in that crappy nursing home. My mom was very close to her grandmother, and watching her wither away like that was traumatic and affected her greatly. I just remember it all being so sad to watch as a little girl – my great-grandmother dying that way and my grandma and mom getting their hearts broken over it all.
If I remember correctly, my ex-mother-in-law was diagnosed with dementia around seventy-one and started to go downhill around seventy-five years old. She was able to stay in her home with home healthcare services until she was around seventy-eight years old. At that time, she needed 24/7 care, and my ex-husband was forced to have his mom put into a nursing home. She suffered there for two years and passed away this last spring at eighty years old.
The Alzheimer’s Society reports the following for the average age of death for someone with dementia, “The average life expectancy figures for the most common types of dementia are as follows:
- Alzheimer’s disease – around eight to 10 years. Life expectancy is less if the person is diagnosed in their 80s or 90s. A few people with Alzheimer’s live for longer, sometimes for 15 or even 20 years.
- Vascular dementia – around five years. This is lower than the average for Alzheimer’s mostly because someone with vascular dementia is more likely to die from a stroke or heart attack than from the dementia itself.
- Dementia with Lewy bodies– about six years. This is slightly less than the average for Alzheimer’s disease. The physical symptoms of DLB increase a person’s risk of falls and infections.
- Frontotemporal dementia – about six to eight years. If a person has FTD mixed with motor neurone disease – a movement disorder, their dementia tends to progress much quicker. Life expectancy for people who have both conditions is on average about two to three years after diagnosis,”.
Do dementia patients do better at home or in a nursing home?
Naturally, suppose a dementia patient has the opportunity, proper support and good fortune of living in their home or the home of their loved one. In that case, they will have a much better quality of life because they will have a greater sense of security, and familiarity, with less confusion, anxiety, or agitation.
Imagine if you were a dementia patient and needed help bathing. Suddenly, you have a lucid moment (which comes and goes); you are naked in the shower and see a stranger touching you. I do not know about you, but I would be frightened and agitated immediately!
Yes, of course they do better at home.
We need to do better for our aging population that is suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s and provide more financial resources and quality caretakers who are paid accordingly.
Do nursing homes allow residents to have pets?
In conclusion, while some nursing homes do allow pets, policies vary widely. Understanding these rules helps families make more informed choices so loved ones can receive care without losing the comfort, companionship, and emotional support that pets so often provide.