She brought tiny foster cats into her office at a retirement home. Residents found out -- and kitten

[Jilly_in_VA]

She brought tiny foster cats into her office at a retirement home. Residents found out — and kitten therapy began.

Estelle Nicol fell and injured herself six months ago, and when she moved into a care center in Orange County, Calif., her daughter noticed her beginning to withdraw.

“My mom was really sad and didn’t want to engage with people,” said Cathy Crair. “It was hard for her to leave her own home after so many years.”

Crair tried to persuade her mother, who is 98, to participate in social activities at the Meridian at Anaheim Hills assisted-living center, but she declined.

Then a few weeks later, a litter of newborn kittens showed up.

“My mom learned about the kittens and overnight we saw a change,” said Crair, 63. “She had something to hug and love.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2021/11/09/kitten-therapy-foster-retirement-home/

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. If ever move into assisted living, or a nursing home,

I want one that will allow me to have a cat. Or at least has resident cats. I've instructed my son that if he has to place me in one, and I can't really participate in the decision, to make sure there are cats there.

[Ocelot II]

3. Same here.

When they have to haul my old ass off to a care home, it better be one that has cats.

[Laffy Kat]

2. A great win-win for both residents and kittehs!

[Duppers]

4. Sweetest pics at site.

Thanks, Jilly, for posting this.

This is a Great Idea!! All nursing homes/assisted-living centers/care centers should be staffed with kitties. It would've made my mother's short stay much happier.

😸

[Bayard]

5. My Mom took her cat to the assisted living facility

He was a great comfort to her. They also allowed small dogs, and kept a large cage of finches in the common area.

[EarnestPutz]

8. A big cage with six Zebra Finches in it is one of the most entertaining things I know. They chirp..

....constantly, communing with each other and it's such a pleasant background sound.

[Bayard]

10. And that's what they were.

Mom loved them.

[EarnestPutz]

13. That makes me happy too.

[3catwoman3]

6. What a charming story.

Benefits to all involved.

[left-of-center2012]

7. Pay wall !!!

I love cats and kittens and I'm sure it's a great story but I can't read it.

I'd have to subscribe !

[Ocelot II]

11. A few photos:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=&w=916

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=&w=916

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=&w=916

[Wild blueberry]

9. What a day brightener!

Thank you!

[Nac Mac Feegle]

12. My wife was an RN in an extended care facility for quite a while.

When she went back to work after the birth of our son, she took him in with her. One of the CNA's carried him along on her rounds, and went into the room of a lady that had been unresponsive and curled up, facing away from the room. When she saw the baby, she cried out "Oh, a baby!", sat up, and wanted to hold him. The Aide handed him over to her, and she spent quite a while chatting about her children, grand- and great grand-children. It really brought her back into the world.

Our son spent quite a bit of time there, sort of a therapy worker, after that. He had about a hundred grandparents for the first couple years of his life.

Mom got to take the kid to work with her, and the Residents had a baby to spoil on a regular basis. It really helped a lot of the people there, seeing a baby grow for couple years. They all watched out for him, and he really brightened up a lot of their days.

[Rhiannon12866]

14. My grandmother moved to a very animal friendly retirement community

Those who lived in apartments were welcome to bring their pets. We often saw people out walking their dogs. The only rule was that they couldn't replace them since that could become a problem. But one gentleman even brought his horse and a place was found nearby where he could board him - and visit anytime he liked.

And, at one point, a cat was rescued who was expecting kittens. The men in the woodworking shop built a miniature house for her where she could be safe with her kittens - which had a glass top so residents could look in on Mom and babies. And when they were old enough, both mother and kittens were adopted by members of the community.

But my favorite program was called "Noah's Oasis," in which either dogs or cats lived on specific halls where residents needed the most care. They were cared for by staff. When my grandmother reached one of those halls, there were two rescued dogs in residence, a lab and a little black and white terrier. We got to know them well since I made sure that there were doggy treats in my grandmother's room...

And my grandmother was also able to adopt a bird. "Amelia" stayed in her room for company for my grandmother and staff came in and cleaned the cage and fed the bird daily. There was even a bird at the front desk there for those who didn't have birds and for friends and family who visited.

It really was a very nice place, I loved visiting.