A Place For Mom® Releases List Of Pet-Friendly Senior Housing Options In Dallas And Houston

SEATTLE, July 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A Place for Mom®, the nation's largest senior living referral service, has released a list of pet-friendly communities in and around the cities of Dallas and Houston as part of its campaign to highlight how pets can improve quality of life for seniors. As many as 40 percent of A Place for Mom's clients nationwide inquire about pet-friendly senior living options, signaling that this is one of the most consistent and preferred factors in selecting senior housing.

Following a reveal of the Los Angeles list in April, A Place for Mom is now looking to Dallas and Houston because of each city's many "pet-friendly" attributes, such as: local organizations that encourage senior pet adoption and a large number of senior living communities that allow pets.

"In many cases, pets give seniors comfort, continuity and the opportunity to care for something they love," said Tami Cumings, Senior Vice President of A Place for Mom. "We are constantly working with families to figure out what aspects of peoples' lives can continue – and even flourish – as they move into a new living situation and a new phase of life. Caring for animals allows for this, and may even lower stress levels and risk of heart disease."

In addition to on-site coordinators to ensure adequate care and attention for pets at all times, many communities support special therapy programs that encourage residents to care for animals.

"Caring for a pet provides our residents with a continued sense of independence. The more the resident can do for themself, the better," said Cathy Lightfoot, marketing director, The Buckingham of Houston. "Pet owners give and receive love every day. Supporting our resident's desire to own a pet is a simple thing we can do to foster this circle of love that animals provide and reinforce for our seniors that their life has meaning and a purpose."

The SPCA of Texas applauds assisted living communities who offer pet therapy programs and are making the 'no pet' restriction a policy of the past.

"We understand the special bond that owners and pets share, and we know that four-footed "therapists" can help enhance the mental, physical and emotional well-being of individuals," said SPCA of Texas President, James Bias. "Not only do these pet friendly programs save pets and their families from the trauma of separation, but they also alleviate already over-crowded animal shelters and rescue groups."

The A Place for Mom Senior Living blog features a full list of pet-friendly senior living communities in the Dallas and Houston areas. Following are the ten largest in Dallas, according to the number of units:

1. Signature Pointe on the Lake
2. The Forum at Park Lane
3. Emeritus Senior  Living Communities (Vickery Towers, Preston and Lake Highlands)
4. Town Village North Dallas
5. Autumn Leaves
6. Villages of Lake Highlands
7. Caruth Haven Court
8. Sunrise at Hillcrest
9. Bentley Manor
10. Parsons House Preston Hollow

Following are the ten largest in Houston, according to the number of units:

1. The Forum at Memorial Woods
2. The Buckingham
3. St. Dominic Village
4. The Terrace at Kingwood
5. Belmont Village at West University
6. Brighton Gardens of Bellaire
7. Regal Estates
8. The Hampton at Meadows Place
9. Remington Park
10. Emeritus at Friendswood

About A Place for Mom
A Place for Mom, Inc. (APFM) is the nation's largest senior living referral information service providing resources and personalized assistance in finding senior living services. Using its nationwide network of more than 18,000 providers, APFM helps families find options based on a loved one's stated needs, preferences and budget. This may include independent senior housing, home care, residential care homes, assisted living communities, skilled nursing and specialized Alzheimer's memory care. The service is offered at no charge to families as providers pay a fee to APFM. For more information, visit www.aplaceformom.com, call 1-877-311-6099 or visit one of APFM's social networks at Twitter, Facebook, Google +, Senior Living Blog and Pinterest.

SOURCE A Place for Mom