THE ELDERLY AND GRIEF

Many elderly people count their pets as their most valued and loyal companions, and many would name them as their reason to live, especially if they have little in the way of friends and family. Many elderly people live alone, or distanced from family, and their pet is their only regular, day-to-day companion. In addition to some degree of inherent loneliness, many people in this age bracket are experiencing other losses (friends and loved ones), so the loss of a pet at this time can be particularly heartbreaking for them.

Some elderly people rely on their pet as a social guide, using walking the dog as a reason to exercise or meet and mingle with society in an otherwise reclusive existence. The elderly are often a forgotten group in many western societies (unlike some eastern cultures), and pets become substitutes for human relationships in many cases.

Daily routines are often built around the cat or dogs requirements, and in some cases the pet represents a link to the past or a lost relationship or loved one. The loss of this link can be devastating, and it is not unheard of that some people in this age bracket die not long after their pet-almost as if they have no reason to go on. As a side issue, this is one reason that we should be arguing more strongly for aged-care accommodation that allows pets to stay with their owners. 


The inability to pay large veterinary accounts can add to the grief and guilt if the decision to euthanase has primarily been a financial one. This can add to a sense of failure that they were not able to support the pet when they needed it most.

After the initial period of grief has passed, many people are inclined to rescue or buy a new pet, and this can be a good thing in many cases. However elderly people often are not able to do this. Some accommodation/ housing facilities will accept existing pets, but will not allow new ones to be attained. Other times they feel that it isn’t fair to take on a young animal, as they are worried what might happen to it when they themselves die. Who will care for it? If they have been used to having a pet their whole lives, this can become an especially traumatic, lonely and sad time.