HABRI recently learned that dog owners tend to walk more than non-owners. Combined with the sedentary lifestyle of senior living, which is always a concern, it is evident that having a pet in a location like Morada Lake Hefner is a boon to anyone in our care. As such, we promote assisted living with pets only five minutes from the lake's shoreline, offering a level of freedom that is rare in retirement care.
Read on to discover our:
Discover what makes Morada one of the best and most pet-positive assisted living communities in all of Oklahoma City.
We have ensured that everything within our community is well-designed to provide comfort and safety while looking after pets, starting with our support staff. No matter what your loved one needs, whether it's help in the middle of the night or someone to walk their faithful companion that day, we can offer Morada Lake Hefner residents assistance 24/7.
Dog-friendly assisted living in OKC requires that those in our care also have the opportunity for companionship. During most of their time in our community, residents can also enjoy the use of our enclosed courtyards, which give dogs a safe and leash-free area in which they can move around freely. The pets cannot escape the community's limits while they are here, and the location is secure, which helps them feel comfortable around the other residents.
Should your loved one have the capability, or with an escort, the local paths lead to Lake Hefner's paved trail, and a resident can use this path to take their pet on a leashed walk further afield.
The freedom and time in nature that these features offer mean that being cooped up is never a worry. Such movement and exercise are also vital for pets. Therefore, we encourage it wherever possible to ensure everyone has the best possible quality of life.
The grounds of our larger community offer both turfed areas and paved walkways. Residents who are not at risk may take walks around our grounds or into the internal courtyard as often as they wish. Benches dotted around our community, under trees, offer shade, allowing seniors to supervise their pets on hot days.
We also take every effort to ensure that pets are not put in danger. We avoid planting toxic plants that may lead to emergency vet visits and are also careful with gifts that visitors bring, advising them on the importance of pet safety.
When outside, lighting allows residents who enjoy early mornings and late evenings a chance to walk around in greater safety. We specifically avoid steep ramps and stairways, allowing those staying with us the freedom to move around, whether using their legs or in a wheelchair.
We have designed the spaces in our community with the intention that a diverse range of inhabitants may use them. For example, our ample closets provide ample storage space for pet food, litter, and other supplies. Meanwhile, the hardwood-style floors in our bathrooms are the perfect place to put a cat litter box, ensuring that messes do not impact the location's carpets.
Meanwhile, we have low windows on many of our bay windows that offer cats and smaller dogs an opportunity to enjoy greater verticality. They can use the space to people-watch and soak up the sun during the day, thereby reducing their stress. Residents will also not need to bend down as far to pick them up if they are staying on the windowsill, helping them to enjoy pet companionship in more comfort.
Should our residents have an opportunity to leave under supervision, with staff or relatives, Lake Hefner also has plenty of dedicated shoreline trails that allow for longer walks in peace. These beautiful, highly-lauded pathways are flat, paved, and wheelchair-friendly, making them ideal for those who require mobility assistance.
Whether your loved one prefers the early morning breeze off the lake or the sunset, when visiting during these times, they can enjoy the exercise without worrying about their companion's paws on hot days.
While we are welcoming to pets, Oklahoma enforces specific rules on the care of pets within assisted living accommodations. As such, ensure that you follow local regulations and source the following:
Service animals and emotional support animals for seniors will still need to adhere to Oklahoma's legal requirements. However, we will work with individuals with disabilities to ensure that their requests are resolved as quickly as possible.
Aging with pets begins with the first day in our community. When your loved one first arrives and has completed our onboarding process, they should focus on acclimating their pets and themselves to the new location. Such an effort can include:
Our staff will help residents understand and follow pet behavior guidelines to make the experience more comfortable for both loved ones and their furry companions. Our staff will also engage with both pets and residents, assisting with feeding and grooming as needed to ensure future recognition.
Our community design ensures that our residents' companions can stay close to their owners, and that owners can enjoy the benefits of a friend from the very first day in the community. Ensure that you and your loved ones understand the requirements of assisted living with pets, and they will enjoy every day they spend with us.
To learn more and ask further questions about our policies, schedule a tour of our pet-friendly community. We would be happy to show you everything Morada Lake Hefner has to offer.