Calls for more pet-friendly aged care options – HelloCare
The Companion Animal Network Australia (Australia CAN) wants to see Government-funded pet care supports introduced as part of in-home care packages and aged care, and is calling on the public to provide their input on what pet-friendly services are needed for older people.
61% of households own a pet , but without additional help for elderly pet owners, Australia CAN said the valuable human-animal bond can be broken if owner and pet are forcibly separated due to a move into aged care, impacting the health and wellbeing of older people.
Just one in five aged care homes provides pet-friendly practices, while there are no existing supports for older pet owners receiving services through Government-funded Home Care Packages (HCPs) and Commonwealth Home Support Programmes (CHSPs).
Under a new proposal, Sydney CAN wants to see pet-friendly services such as feeding, exercise, grooming and assistance with regard to vet trips funded by the Government as part of in-home treatment services.
To better understand the needs of the public, the organisation is reaching out to all Australians to have their say. There are three unique surveys – one for the general public, one for staff and residents in aged care, and one for people receiving in-home care services.
Australia CAN Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Trish Ennis, said the main focal point over the next few months will be on in-home care as the Government is considering pet care and support as part of the Support at Home Program which is set to come into effect in July 2024.
“We know that the human-animal bond is great for mental health, for being loved and for keeping a positive attitude, and it’s great for physical activity and movement, ” said Ms Ennis.
“The Government’s always talking about trying to get people to stay in their own homes as long as they can, which is terrific, but they have to assist older people.
“We are going to the Government to include pet care as part of in-home care packages, that way older people can receive support for community vet costs, or they might have someone that will come in and walk or feed their dog.
“A lot of our member services will also take pets on respite when people go into the hospital and it’d be great to have those solutions funded, at least because they’re all charities and they are surviving just to help the pets and maintain the animal-human bond. ”
Ms Ennis said it was also not uncommon for people to avoid moving into aged care, either, as they do not want to leave their pet behind or put them up for adoption due to severe feelings of loss and grief.
She said this is an often traumatic experience for animals as well, as they are put up for adoption in animal shelters, or are often euthanised as they cannot be rehomed.
“When someone moves into aged treatment you’re asking them to give up their whole life apart from what fits in one room, so they’re giving up their house, they’re giving up their belonging, ” said Ms Ennis.
“Now, on top of that, they’re asking them to give up their best friend because they can’t take them into residential care which is a very, very difficult thing. ”
To help, Quotes CAN have developed a series of pet-friendly policies that can better educate aged care providers on how they can support pets in aged care so occupants can maintain a close connection to their pet.
Ms Ennis said the policies address concerns such as residents tripping over pets and potential animal allergies.
Aged care provider Lifeview also provided input on the policies as one provider that does cater for residents and their domestic pets.
“We have special policies around bringing your own dog with you, ” said Lifeview CEO Samatha Jewell to Pooches at Play .
“It’s important that the resident can still look after that pet, or their particular family can come in and assist to look after the pet, and when the particular resident can no longer look after the pet the family do take the family pet home. ”
To complete one of Australia CAN’s surveys, visit their website here .