Its been 3 weeks and no response from the OP. This person is a geriatric social worker according to their profile. I would think he/she knows what resources there are to help this client. If the client is a danger to themselves or others I would think OP could get the State to step in just because he/she is a SW.
1 first comfort them that you would try your best to find options . Don’t let it become an argument or they will resist anything 2. Look into places which allow a pet if the level of care is assisted living. 3 if care level is a nursing home , ask if the home has a “ community cat” one which is allowed to visit patients. That is better than nothing 4 Or does the nursing home have a community area where a pet can visit Have the person meet the person who would adopt her cats and set a schedule for being the pet to see the patient . I am sure the person is dealing with a fear of their cats care if they give the pets up. Do what you can to alleviate that. Also their own fear of link I was and no one to rely on them as they have a purpose now caring for the cats .
If client has 1-2 pets and can take care of them, there are places that allow pets. If you are dealing with a "cat lady/gentleman" who has more pets than this, the person needs an intervention with a mental health provider... and probably a move to a place that has a cat to enjoy but not care for.
If this person is financially able to pay for assisted living, there are some places where pets are allowed. More than likely a limit as to how many.
If the person would be having to move to a nursing home, there's probably none or a very limited few that would allow a pet. I totally get it that I wouldn't want to leave home AND my pets. If NH is the only answer, what would it take to get better care at the place where the person currently resides?
You will have to find out if the facility accepts cats. If Independent Living, most will IF the resident is able to provide care for the cat.
Assisted Living, probably not, because if the resident can't be independent in their OWN care they cannot be responsible for pet care.
Nursing homes...none that I know of. Although my parents were both in nursing home, for a temporary stay, that had resident cats belonging to the facility! I think this is a rarity, and may no longer be allowed. My mother often found a cat sleeping on her bed, which was quite a delight to her, since she is fond of cats. However, she soon began sneezing when the cats were around and they had to keep the cats out!
Some residents really loved the cats, and some had favorite cats, that I would call therapeutic.
Look into the facilities. There's no mention of where the client is refusing to move to but some assisted living facilities do allow animals. A family member didn't want to move to a facility and finally ended up in one once her niece found out she could keep her cat. The niece had assumed for a long time (several years) that a pet wasn't allowed. Don't assume anything.
I sense the word "convince" isn't the right word. There is no convincing depending on if / the severity of dementia. There is a major attachment to a pet, of course.
For me to respond, I would need more information about this person. It is possible they are unable to care for their pet(s) as needed. This is sad and unfortunate, although the safety and well being of the pet needs to be considered.
I think that you may never convince them. Those who have and have had and love pets are lost without them; they often may lose any will to live whatsoever if losing a pet is added to the general shock of moving. We are not pragmatic about pets in the least and they and their unconditional love is often more important than the love of families to some. You might try speaking of their safety and the necessity of such a move despite the rehoming of pets, but I doubt it will be successful.
Thank you for reaching out but would like to hear more details about your client's situation to help you to help her. How old is her, her medical condition, and has she had an assessment by a social worker?
Those are her babies. I’d feel the same way. I’d live under the bridge before abandoning my pets. Is there a way to find her better care and keep the cats too?
It could be both bonding and major dependency, esp as a person ages / loses their independence due to dementia. It is not an easy situation at all. If she is able to care for her cats, by all means, see what alternatives are available. Some of us here ask(ed) for more information about this person. We cannot provide the support / feedback / suggestions that could help w/o knowing more about this person (as we are just guessing).
Make sure that wherever she moves to receive better care will allow the cats to come with her. If not, perhaps cleaning up or improving her current home and having a caregiver come is the answer. It is in both hers and the cats' best interest to stay together. (This is if it only a few healthy, vetted cats, and not a hoarding situation. )
If she has dementia then I would tell her that the cats will be coming to visit her or maybe even that that cats will be coming to live with her after a month or two when she all settled in. Then find the cats a new home. Do not call animal control or a no kill shelter. The chances of them getting adopted are very small.
If she has dementia, she could be told the cats are coming with her. The ultimate need is for this woman to be safe and well-cared for ... then the cats.
How old is this client? Does the woman have Dementia of any kind. As a SW you know if the client is of sound mind, there is not much you can do. The cats, is the client able to care for them, if not then you call in animal control or find a no kill shelter that will take them. If client does suffer from Dementia don't you have the authority, if no family, to have a State guardian chosen to take over her care?
An AL will allow an animal but the resident has to be able to care for that animal. The staff is not required to do it.
You’re right about the staff not being required to take care of the cats but it’s been my experience that quite a few staff members like taking care of them after they are off the clock making some extra $
2. Look into places which allow a pet if the level of care is assisted living.
3 if care level is a nursing home , ask if the home has a “ community cat” one which is allowed to visit patients. That is better than nothing
4 Or does the nursing home have a community area where a pet can visit Have the person meet the person who would adopt her cats and set a schedule for being the pet to see the patient .
I am sure the person is dealing with a fear of their cats care if they give the pets up. Do what you can to alleviate that. Also their own fear of link I was and no one to rely on them as they have a purpose now caring for the cats .
If the person would be having to move to a nursing home, there's probably none or a very limited few that would allow a pet. I totally get it that I wouldn't want to leave home AND my pets. If NH is the only answer, what would it take to get better care at the place where the person currently resides?
Assisted Living, probably not, because if the resident can't be independent in their OWN care they cannot be responsible for pet care.
Nursing homes...none that I know of.
Although my parents were both in nursing home, for a temporary stay, that had resident cats belonging to the facility! I think this is a rarity, and may no longer be allowed. My mother often found a cat sleeping on her bed, which was quite a delight to her, since she is fond of cats. However, she soon began sneezing when the cats were around and they had to keep the cats out!
Some residents really loved the cats, and some had favorite cats, that I would call therapeutic.
There is no convincing depending on if / the severity of dementia.
There is a major attachment to a pet, of course.
For me to respond, I would need more information about this person.
It is possible they are unable to care for their pet(s) as needed.
This is sad and unfortunate, although the safety and well being of the pet needs to be considered.
Thank you for reaching out but would like to hear more details about your client's situation to help you to help her. How old is her, her medical condition, and has she had an assessment by a social worker?
The ultimate need is for this woman to be safe and well-cared for ... then the cats.
Have you tried to offer ways the client can live at home and receive better care?
Has anyone confirmed your assessment that the client can no longer live at home?
What are the 3 top reasons the client cannot remain at home? What is her condition?
Have you built up trust with your client? Is there a family member who could participate in removing the client from the home/ if in danger?
Maybe you could return and let us know more?
If client does suffer from Dementia don't you have the authority, if no family, to have a State guardian chosen to take over her care?
An AL will allow an animal but the resident has to be able to care for that animal. The staff is not required to do it.
How many cats does she have?
Could you help her to find another home for them if she isn’t able to care for them?