Dog-Friendly Retirement Communities

Posted by Billy Francis

Moving from one chapter of life to another can be a daunting task, especially for elderly people departing their homes, and loneliness at a new place is often a concern. However, research by the University of Rochester Medical Center suggests those with pets are 36% less likely to report feeling lonely. And thankfully, around 75 percent of for-profit assisted living facilities in the U.S. welcome furry friends to accompany their owners. Enjoy your golden years with your Golden Retriever at these dog-friendly retirement communities.

The Villas of Holly Brook

Multiple Locations
For the love of pug. Photo by Villas of Holly Brook

With over 30 pet-friendly communities in the network, The Villas of Holly Brook are proud to provide homes for dogs to hang their leashes. The Bradenton facility is home to a luscious green, fenced dog park stocked with hoops, jumps, tunnels and more. Residents are free to watch pups play in the park from the paw print bench under a covered canopy, while their neighbors teach old dogs new tricks. The Villas of Holly Brook has plans to construct dog parks across their network.

Here are Margaret and Toby to tell you more about life at Holly Brook:

Inspired Living

Multiple Locations
“Guys, I don’t think these are real flowers.” Photo by Facebook.com/InspiredLivingAlpharetta

Inspired Living understands the positive impact furry friends have on our lives, including social interaction, slowed cognitive decline and reduced feelings of agitation. For this reason, the company has built designated dog parks at a number of facilities, including its branch in Alpharetta, GA. Along with residents’ dogs, community canines warm the furniture across the network, providing companionship for everybody who lives and works at Inspired Living. Family and friends are encouraged to bring Fido with them to play and hang out when they visit, too.

Rose Villa

Portland, OR
Photo by Facebook.com/rosevillaseniorliving

Rose Villa loves when pets join the family. In fact, an average of one third of residents move in with their dogs. This pet-friendly community is home to a fenced dog park that brings two- and four-legged residents together in a safe environment, while promoting exercise and companionship. After a game of fetch, treat pups to a snack from the lobby, which are homemade by members of the community. If you want to venture further, pretty paved trails weave around the 22-acre property. Rose Villa is pet-friendly to well-behaved pets of any breed, size or age.

TigerPlace

Columbia, MO
Photo by Facebook.com/TigerPlace

TigerPlace isn’t just pet friendly; this assisted living facility happens to be affiliated with a veterinary college. The University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing and College of Veterinary Medicine works in tandem with TigerPlace to provide regular visits from pet care assistants and access to veterinary care whenever it’s needed. And dogs aren’t the only animals who make an appearance at this active retirement community. Baby goats are often found “kidding” around with the residents.

Mercy Health Oakwood Village Senior Living

Springfield, OH
The smaller the dog, the bigger the smile! Photo by Facebook.com/Oakwood-Village

Located on 72 beautiful acres, Mercy Health Oakwood Village Senior Living in Springfield, OH is one of the few facilities in the state with a dog park. Although Oakwood Village has been pet-friendly for a while (a dozen pets live there already), the addition of a fenced recreation area has been the icing on the cake for canine inhabitants. The dog park accommodates a variety of mobility aids and has incentivized many of Oakwood's residents to walk more steps each day.

The Fountains at Lake Pointe Woods

Sarasota, FL
Photo by Facebook.com/TheFountainsAtLakePointeWoods

Studies suggest that social isolation can be as harmful to older adults as smoking cigarettes. Hanging out with furry friends can bring people out of their shells and get them chatting about their shared interest: a love of dogs! The Fountains at Lake Pointe Woods is Sarasota’s only senior living facility with a dog park. Fido can also explore 53 acres of nature trails on the property, but he may not want to socialize with the therapy llamas who drop by on occasion!

Silverado Senior Living

Multiple Locations
Photo by Facebook.com/SilveradoCare

One of the key selling points of Silverado Senior Living is the love of animals. Dogs, cats, fish, miniature horses, llamas, chinchillas and baby kangaroos live and work as therapy animals across the network. Silverado residents at the Escondido branch, for example, join together to care for the animals, building self-esteem and giving them greater motivation and purpose. Residents are not only allowed pets, but are encouraged to bring them to stay at Silverado.

Harrogate Retirement Community

Lakewood, NJ
Dogs spread joy at this assisted living facility. Photo by Facebook.com/Harrogate.NJ.Retirement.Community

Harrogate Retirement Community resident Lynn Adams thinks the “dog park makes everybody happier,” and her friends and neighbors all agree. Set among towering trees, the green space is an inviting place to hold a morning gathering or afternoon get together. Therapy dogs provide a calming presence inside the facility, too.

Sunrise Senior Living

Multiple Locations
Photo by Facebook.com/SunriseSeniorLiving

All Sunrise Senior Living communities are pet-friendly. They’re almost as committed to rehousing pets as they are to providing quality care for their residents. Proudly partnering with animal shelters across the country, one of Sunrise Senior Living’s goals is to help find senior pets a forever home. The organization even adopts dogs to live in every residence across its network. Their Washington, D.C. location, Sunrise on Connecticut Avenue, is ideally situated near Rock Creek Park Trails and other pet-friendly amenities in the heart of the capital’s Upper Northwest area.

Omega Senior Living

Multiple Locations
Residents love a visit from a therapy dog. Photo by Facebook.com/OmegaSeniorLiving

Omega Senior Living has locations in Kansas, New England and California. Most of the communities are pet-friendly, hosting special Yappy Hour social events that give residents a chance to hang out with pups even if they don’t have their own. Dogs will also be able to let off steam at the fenced park that is planned for the Lake Wichita branch. The Bonavia at Veterans Park has a dog washing station for residents to clean up their pups after a day of play at nearby Shawnee Mission Park, one of the world’s largest dog parks.

Ventana by Buckner

Dallas, TX
Benji enjoying the inaugural ‘Sniff and Mingle’ event. Photo by Facebook.com/ventanabybuckner

Ventana by Buckner is a nonprofit assisted living facility located in a Dallas high-rise building. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer spectacular views and let in plenty of sunshine, but Fido will feel most comfortable in the pet park, where he can enjoy some off-leash fun. Ventana by Buckner also hosts monthly Yappy Hours, which gives folks a chance to socialize and meet the canine community with whom they share a home.

Lantern Crest

Santee, CA
“You’ve got a friend in me.” Photo by Lantern Crest Senior Living

It’s important to get outside as much as possible, whatever age you are. Fortunately, Lantern Crest Senior Living has paved pathways and a fenced dog park to explore on site. The panoramic views of the surrounding California countryside make every walk worthwhile.

LifeStream Complete Senior Living

Multiple Locations
Congratulations to Sarah, the Dog of the Year! Photo by Shannon Williams Photography

Furry residents at the Youngstown branch of Arizona-based LifeStream Complete Senior Living are truly part of the family. Small dogs living in the Indpendent Garden Homes are invited to “pawticipate” in the annual dog parade and compete for the title of Dog of the Year. The event takes place at many LifeStream locations. Residents nominate their favorite pups and vote in the yearly award ceremony.

Atria Assisted Living Community

Multiple Locations
“Jan, I’m trying to catch some rays here!” Photo by Facebook.com/AtriaSeniorLiving

Most communities in the Atria network welcome pets. In fact, hundreds of four-legged residents currently call an Atria facility home. To reward canine tenants, different branches have hosted dog shows and given out awards for Top Dog, Queen of the Canines, Cutest, Most Athletic and Furriest Resident (only dogs can enter ... sorry, Harold). At Atria Las Posas in Camarillo, CA residents and their pets can enjoy walking paths, a courtyard, patio and outdoor fireplace together.

Era Living

Seattle, WA
“Wait a second; you’re not gravy!” Photo by Era Living

Era Living understands that pets are part of the family. Two of their facilities in the greater Seattle area, Ida Culver House Broadview and Aljoya Mercer Island, host Yappy Hours for residents. Dogs receive a shot of gravy and delicious treats, while humans can indulge in wine, appetizers and great conversation. Era Living welcomes pets who gain approval at all of its communities with a one-time pet fee.

Dogwood Forest Assisted Living Community

Georgia
“One thing I love about this place; I never run out of knitwear!” Photo by @dogwood_forest

Dogwood Forest Assisted Living Community provides three pet-friendly facilities for Georgia's senior population. And it’s not just the name that has a “dog” in it. Community pups, like Tre and Elvis, keep the residents company. Take Fido and the gang for a walk on the paved walking paths that wind around the buildings or relax together in your custom apartment.

Note: this article is not meant as a review or endorsement of the care provided at any of the featured facilities.

What do you think about pet-friendly retirement communities? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!

Banner photo by Facebook.com/Harrogate.NJ.Retirement.Community.