Would a pet be good for my mom ? which kind ?

Question

she's 74, has Alzheimer's, spends alot of time at home.

Answer 1

Yes, if she lives with you or someone else to look after the pet, she would probably like a cat or maybe a small older dog.

No if she is alone, she can't be responsible for it.

Answer 2

Is she fully capable of caring for the animal? My dad has Alzheimer's and a dog and a cat, but my mom is there to care for them. My dad doesn't walk the dog and he can't drive to the vet. He does feed the animals and clean the litter box, but he also does strange things like feed the cat Ritz crackers or mix up the cat & dog food.
He loves both animals very much (especially the cat) and he definately benefits from having them. However, I wouldn't trust him to care for them by himself.
There are truly no low-maintenence pets. Dogs need to be walked and bathed, cats need their litter boxes cared for often, birds are very messy and require a lot of clean-up, plus the paper changes every day, fish need water/filter changes and aren't very cuddly. Even a free-range rabbit needs a litter box. And everything except fish needs regular vet care.
Plus you have to realize that even if your mom can care for the animal now, in a few years she won't be able to, and who will take it then?

Answer 3

Hi. I might be able to help you. I just wrote an article of great gift ideas for persons with Alzheimer's. Pets are such wonderful comfort for people with Alzheimer's. But, depending on which stage of the disease your mother is experiencing, caring for a pet might be challenging. Visits with pets and animal assisted therapy are other options.

To read my article, just plug this link into your web browser!

http://www.gilbertguide.com/blog/2006/12/14/gifts-for-people-in-all-stages-of-alzheimer%e2%80%99s-disease/

Best of luck!

Ami

Answer 4

I honestly don't think a pet is something good for someone who probably can't take care of it. What might be better would be to have someone bring some sort of pet to her for an hr or so each day and let her pet, play and feed under supervision and but then take it away at the end of the day.

Answer 5

Good question!
My mom is 75 and starting to forget things a LOT! She has been very lonely since my dad passed away. If it wasn't for her dog I don't think she would still be with us. She has a Pomeranian and we have miniature Dachshunds. We take our dogs over when we visit. She get more enjoyment from their being there and playing with her dog than she does with us.(seems that way)
The "clinical" benefit she gets from having her dog is more than you can imagine. Her dog is a companion, a friend, a burglar alarm, entertainment, and so much more.
I pray for your mom and I hope you find a sweet little dog to keep her company.

Answer 6

You mother is in no position to care for a pet. Get her a fish, and make sure someone else feeds it daily.

Or, find a company that provides pet visiting to the homebound. They'll visit once or twice a week with a dog she can pet.

Answer 7

I agree a dog would be a good pet, but if she has trouble remembering perhaps something that requires less looking after would be best, something that needs a routine would help with your mother's memory, a suggest a cat would be best, as they can at times need less supervison, the routine of letting it out at night etc and feeding it at specific times would help her to keep her mind active.

Answer 8

Unfortunately, I don't think she would be coherent enough all the time to know the pet existed. Other times, she may wonder why the animal is there.

You have great intentions, but I don't think it would work.

Answer 9

Get her a bird like a parakeet. They are pretty easy to maintain and they will keep her company by making a little noise like they're talking to her.

Answer 10

Get your mom a calico, they are very lovable and will stay around your mom all the time, my grandma has one and she is very lovable!