Home-Sharing Can Reduce Senior Loneliness

Alone time has benefits but seniors who spend too much time alone are likely to experience loneliness and declining health as a result. The latest trend to combat this is home-sharing and though it has some interesting logistical challenges, the results are hard to deny.

What is Senior Home-Sharing?

Home-sharing is, essentially, having a roommate. It may sound like a back-to-college movement, but for seniors who’ve left the workforce or who have lost a spouse and had kids move away (or who never had kids) having a roommate seems to help many feel less isolated. Sharing a home may result in reduced feelings of loneliness and depression, leading to better overall health. Whether another person moves into the senior’s home or seniors rent an apartment together, home-sharing is increasing in popularity. Here's why.

The Risk of Prolonged Isolation

Loneliness isn’t the only risk for isolated seniors. There are also physical concerns to take into account. Being isolated for a long time may be just as dangerous to our health as smoking up to 15 cigarettes every day. Because nearly 30 percent of people between 50 and 80 say they feel lonely, there are serious health concerns in this age group. When older adults share their homes, they have companionship and can provide each other mutual aid,  while also reducing loneliness. 

How Seniors Can Find Others to Share Their Homes With

Advertising for a roommate is different for a senior, who may be more vulnerable than a younger person. Senior Homeshares and Silvernest are two sites dedicated to helping seniors find home-sharing companions. There are also other ways to advertise and find companionship, and where someone lives may play a role in locating home-sharing opportunities. 

The Risks of Home-Sharing for Seniors

Like any roommate situation, there are risks to sharing a home. For seniors, these risks can include physical or emotional abuse, theft of money or items, bullying, and related concerns. Having to evict someone may also be necessary and could put a lot of strain on a senior. Even just a clash of personalities or ways of doing things may make home-sharing stressful for a senior. It may help to recruit family or friends in ensuring candidates are screened carefully. But no matter what, it's probably a good idea to have someone (or several someones) look in on the situation from time to time to make sure it's an ongoing benefit and not a strain.

For seniors looking to reduce loneliness, home-sharing may be a good choice. By taking care to find the right person to share with, a senior may have a better quality of life in their later years. Thorough research, a background check, and careful consideration of the risks and benefits should be part of any home-sharing decision. But wouldn't it be great to see grandma laughing and loving life again? Maybe this is one way to make that happen.

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