Companion Care Beyond the Human Touch: Why Pet Tech On-The-Go Matters in Senior Homecare
- 1 hour ago
- 6 min read
Jenna Fralick, BScN RN
When we talk about aging in place, most people think about medications, mobility, meals, and medical appointments. They think about in-home care, safety bars, and help with activities of daily living.
But what about the dog who has slept beside someone for 12 years?
What about the cat who curls up on a lap during chemotherapy?
What about the quiet comfort of a familiar tail wagging at the end of a long day?
This month’s theme is about keeping love at home. And if we are truly committed to client-centered care, we must talk about pets.
Because pets are not extras. They are family.
That’s why we are proud to feature one of our trusted Community Partners: Pet Tech On-The-Go — a service that supports families in Halifax, Nova Scotia by ensuring beloved pets continue to receive care when life transitions become overwhelming.
You can explore all of our trusted partners through our👉 Community Partners Page
We created this page intentionally — so families always have somewhere to turn when they need support beyond what we directly provide.
Companion Care Means Caring for the Whole Person — Including Their Pets
When families search for senior homecare, they’re often focused on immediate concerns:
Is Mom safe?
Is Dad eating?
Who will help with bathing?
What if there’s memory care needs?
How do we manage home care services after surgery?
But underneath those practical questions is something deeper:
Will my loved one still feel like themselves?
Research consistently shows that pets improve emotional wellbeing, reduce loneliness, and even lower blood pressure in older adults (Stanley et al., 2014). The benefits of companionship for seniors are not limited to human relationships. Animal companionship provides structure, purpose, and comfort — especially during times of health decline.
When someone is receiving care for elderly in home, maintaining routines is critical. That includes feeding times, walks, and cuddles.
For many of our clients across Nova Scotia and PEI, their pet is their most consistent source of elderly companionship.
And when health changes, pet care becomes one more stressor families must manage.
How Companion Care and Pet Support Work Together During Care Transitions
Care transitions are overwhelming.
Whether someone is returning home after surgery or navigating new mobility challenges, families are juggling:
Discharge instructions
Medications
Equipment
Follow-ups
Adjustments to daily living activities
Now add pet care responsibilities.
We have supported families where:
A client required home care services after surgery and could not bend to feed their dog.
A spouse providing in-home care was exhausted and struggling to manage both caregiving and pet walking.
An adult child living in another province felt helpless worrying about both parent and pet.
This is where companion care becomes holistic.
Pet Tech On The Go helps ensure:
Dogs are walked safely
Litter boxes are maintained
Feeding schedules stay consistent
Grooming needs are addressed
That may seem small. But in reality, it preserves dignity and stability.
When pets are cared for, stress decreases. And when stress decreases, health outcomes improve (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2022).
What Makes Remember When HealthCare Different from Other Home Care Providers in Nova Scotia?
Families often ask:
“What makes Remember When HealthCare different from other home care providers in Nova Scotia?”
The answer is simple.
We are a nurse-led, local company committed to holistic, client-centered care in Nova Scotia and PEI. We believe care is not just about tasks — it’s about preserving identity, connection, and dignity.
That means when someone needs:
Affordable homecare
Companionship services for seniors
Support with activities of daily living
Post-hospital support
Memory care
Or even help navigating palliative care Nova Scotia options
—we also think about what else matters.
Sometimes that “something else” is a pet.
We intentionally built our Community Partners Page so families never feel stuck. If we do not provide a service directly, we connect you to someone trusted who does.
That’s community care.
Where to Find Reliable Home Care Services in Nova Scotia?
Another question we hear often:
“Where to find reliable home care services in Nova Scotia?”
Families want safety. They want transparency. They want to know who is coming into the home.
We encourage families to look for:
Regulated leadership (nurse-led oversight matters)
Clear communication
Transparent scheduling
Consistent Carers
Education about homecare solutions
Community partnerships
Reliable care is not just about showing up. It is about collaboration.
That includes collaborating with partners like Pet Tech On The Go so that the emotional ecosystem of the home remains intact.
Because reliable homecare services consider the entire environment.
What Is Included in Daily Living Support for Seniors in Bedford?
Families in Bedford often ask:
“What is included in daily living support for seniors in Bedford?”
Daily living support may include:
Bathing and dressing
Meal preparation
Medication reminders
Light housekeeping
Transportation
Companionship programs for seniors
Support with daily living activities
But emotional wellbeing is just as essential.
When someone cannot walk their dog anymore, that loss feels enormous.
By partnering with Pet Tech On The Go, we reduce that grief.
his is what true elderly care and companionship looks like — practical help wrapped in emotional awareness.
The Social Cause: Keeping Seniors and Their Pets Together
Across Canada, seniors sometimes surrender pets when they transition into higher care levels.
This is heartbreaking.
The human-animal bond has measurable health benefits, particularly for those experiencing loneliness, depression, or memory care challenges (Banks & Banks, 2002).
In Nova Scotia and PEI, aging populations are growing. According to Statistics Canada (2023), seniors represent a significant and increasing portion of the population in Atlantic Canada.
That means more families navigating:
Senior homecare
In-home care
Home healthcare companies
And decisions about staying at home versus transitioning elsewhere
Supporting pet care is a social cause.
It supports aging in place.
It supports mental health.
It supports community stability.
And it reduces caregiver burnout.
Why This Matters During Palliative and Complex Care
When families are exploring benefits of palliative care or seeking information about palliative care Nova Scotia, emotional comfort becomes central.
At end of life, small comforts matter deeply.
We have seen clients who:
Felt peace knowing their dog was nearby
Smiled at the sound of a familiar bark
Found meaning in gentle animal companionship
In these moments, pet care is not trivial.
It is sacred.
A Story We See Often
An adult daughter in PEI calls us.
Her mother is returning home after surgery. She needs home care services after surgery and help with bathing and meals. The daughter is juggling work, kids, and coordinating appointments.
There’s also a golden retriever.
The retriever is 9 years old. Energetic. Loyal.
The daughter’s biggest hidden fear?
That her mother will have to give up the dog.
Instead, with in-home care, structured companion care, and partnership with Pet Tech On The Go, the dog stays.
The routine stays.
The love stays.
And caregiver stress drops dramatically.
That is the power of community-based homecare solutions.
Whole-Person Care Is Not Superficial — It’s Strategic
When people search:
“foot nurse near me”
“diabetic foot care”
“senior companionship services”
“affordable homecare”
“companion care”
They are often searching during crisis.
But crisis support alone is not enough.
True homecare services address:
Physical health
Emotional health
Social connection
Environmental stability
Pets are part of that equation.
So are trusted community partnerships.
So is education.
So is stress relief.
That is why we do not simply provide care for elderly in home.
We provide a network.
Final Thoughts: Keeping Love at Home Means Keeping Everyone Home
If you are navigating care transitions in Nova Scotia or PEI and feeling overwhelmed, you are not alone.
If you are wondering whether you can manage both caregiving and pet responsibilities, there are solutions.
If you are worried about maintaining independence while accessing in-home care, know that holistic support exists.
Because keeping love at home is not just about medical tasks.
It is about preserving identity, connection, dignity — and sometimes, a four-legged best friend.
References
Banks, M. R., & Banks, W. A. (2002). The effects of animal-assisted therapy on loneliness in an elderly population. The Journals of Gerontology Series A, 57(7), M428–M432.
Public Health Agency of Canada. (2022). Aging and mental health in Canada.
Stanley, I. H., Conwell, Y., Bowen, C., & Van Orden, K. A. (2014). Pet ownership may attenuate loneliness among older adult primary care patients who live alone. Aging &
Mental Health, 18(3), 394–399.
Statistics Canada. (2023). Population projections for Canada and the provinces.
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