Circumstances are not always kind. After being a companion and perhaps a caretaker for many years, you may find the idea of living alone quite daunting. Some people actually like living alone. The rest of us find that it no longer has the appeal that it did when we were younger and still working. Personally, I like having someone around.
Today many older people are looking into home sharing as a way to cut costs and make friends. Gerontologists have long sited the health benefits of shared living. House sharing seems to promote a healthier lifestyle and can be an attractive alternative to living alone, moving into a senior community or even having to move in with your children. It is a way to stay in your own home if you are the host, or enjoy the spaciousness of an actual house even if it belongs to someone else.
Studies show that after finding a roommate, people are healthier and happier. They eat better, sleep better, have higher activity and energy levels, and worry less about money and safety. In general they liked their homes better, were more apt to keep up on news and current events, and enjoyed more outside activities. Peace of mind has incredible value.
It isn’t unusual for children to encourage their parents to move out of the family home, often before they need to. It could be that they find it is more convenient to turn the responsibility of caring for an aging parent over to an agency. This in itself is not a solid reason to write an independent senior off. People who do not want their parents to move out of the family home embrace these programs.
Most seniors who sign up for roommates are active and free of serious medical problems, so we aren’t talking about a caregiver/caretaker arrangement unless that is the way the contract is set up. Professional programs are available to assist in making suitable matches. They formally screen potential matches and then follow up, mediating any difficulties. Programs that require a written contract tend to be more reliable. This is a safer way to go than just advertising for a roommate and taking potluck.
Home sharing can reduce the cost of medical care for older people who might otherwise be forced into costly assisted living or nursing homes. If you have lived alone for a considerable amount of time it might be difficult to adjust, but if you find the right match it could be the answer for both of you.
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