Cat in MC?

psg712

Does anyone have experience with PWD having a cat living with them in an MC setting? I am working on moving my mom from AL to MC. She was encouraged to bring her cat with her when she entered AL, as it is a pet-friendly facility.

Now that she is planning to move to the MC building on the same property, we are getting mixed messages about moving the cat with her. The activities director and the health director (RN) both thought it would be possible for her to have the cat.The executive director, while not outright forbidding it, has outlined his serious concerns, most of which relate to wandering residents who may not understand that a litter box has poop in it. He clearly wants me to rehome the cat.

The cat is older, overweight and sedate. He has lived in her single room in AL for 17 months without attempting to escape. Mom keeps her door closed at all times. I do all the maintenance - food, water, litter, grooming, vet visits. She gets to enjoy her companion of the past 13 years. His presence was instrumental in her adjustment to AL, and I think it will also help with the transfer to MC.

Is it realistic to push for the cat to move with her? No other pets live there.The health director told me that the facility's regional dementia consultant has said (in theory) that MC residents should be able to keep a pet, but the executive director has all but said no. He also thinks that separating mom and the cat at the same time as moving her to MC is the best way to handle it.

Believe me, my life would be less complicated without this cat to manage. I am not a cat lover. But if he will ease my mom's transition (and my sister's willingness to accept it, which is a whole separate story), I'm willing to put in the work, and delay her transfer till a private room is open.

Any thoughts?

M1

My partners MC facility has a resident cat who is acclimated to the facility and doesn't try to get out. His litter box is in a low-traffic common area that the staff monitor and has not presented a problem. But introducing a new animal into a facility not used to one is a whole other ball game. Perhaps you could get them to agree to a time-limited trial, with clearcut parameters for success or failure? I would think another issue might be if he wandered into someone else's room and got trapped behind a closed door.

the director may have a point, it may be out of sight, out of mind. My partner is a big time animal lover and I thought that missing our animals would be hard on her, but she doesn't remember them. So you may be borrowing trouble unnecessarily. Sorry that your sister is not on board.

Emily 123

psg712,

Hi there. It may be do-able if the litter box could be something like this: (There are cheaper versions out there)

https://www.amazon.com/FEANDREA-Enclosure-Furniture-Nightstand-UPCL002G01/dp/B09C5YD29W/ref=sr_1_29?crid=2KQTAO56JTXPN&keywords=automatic%2Blitter%2Bbox&qid=1695751474&sprefix=automatic%2Blitter%2Bbox%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-29&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc&th=1

psg712

Thank you for the ideas. I'm still mulling this over. I too have considered asking for a trial period. I need to be confident that it's the best thing to do, because I'm going to have to negotiate hard to have any chance of getting the director to agree to it.

housefinch

I can’t remember who, so not sure how helpful my comment will be, but someone a few months ago had a parent with dementia who had to re-home a cat or dog because she was being placed in MC. I am trying to imagine how allowing a live animal to move with its owner won’t ultimately mean the MC staff do 100% of the cat’s care. How will they prevent your mom from: overfeeding the cat, stressing or scaring it with agitated behavior eventually, etc? I’m sorry because I know it sounds like yet another cruel loss for your mom. However, I’m not sure the presence of the cat is a magic balm that will ensure a seamless transition to MC. I think the kindest thing to the animal and the MC staff would be to find a new home for the cat. I agree with the staff member who said the cat shouldn’t move in the first place. I would buy a substitute like a stuffed animal cat or those cat robot pets people have discussed here.

psg712

Really good thoughts. I appreciate them. If out of sight is out of mind, that would be a blessing in this case so she wouldn't be miserable without her cat.

With regard to his care, I do it all now. I had to get automatic food and water dispensers when I realized that he was going without. And I have handled the litter since she moved. She pretty much just looks at him and smiles, but does nothing about his needs.

The robot cat sounds good ... I don't think she will believe it's real, but she still might enjoy it. She is very passive, doesn't play with anything or do a lot of interaction, but she does respond positively to attention.

MN Chickadee

I wouldn't move the cat to MC. As much as it sounds nice and there is indeed a chance it would work it, it's a risk for the cat. Even IF your mother declined slowly and remained engaged and kind to the cat she will be surrounded by others with dementia who you have no idea what they are capable of. You can't guarantee other residents won't enter her room or open the door and leave it open. I can almost guarantee this happens at most MC facilities from time to time. Kitty could get lost, injured, or neglected. Seems unfair to the animal. It is also a lot to ask of the staff to keep track of its wellbeing. I guess if you were going to continue to be there every single day making sure the cat is where it is supposed to be, monitor it for health changes etc perhaps it might work but if it were me I'd make a clean break when she moves to MC and rehome the cat and get her a robo cat. I'm a huge cat fan as was my mother, so I get how heartbreaking this is. Another horrible loss from a horrible disease.

JeriLynn66

I’m sorry… I too would worry about the safety of the cat.. and what if Kitty bites a resident who doesn’t understand how to handle it?? Big risk..

I know this is so hard ❤️