Benefits of Older Adults Sharing Their Home
1. It can be less expensive to live with other adults. You can share housing costs, utilities and often food. If you own a large home, you can afford to offset the cost of maintaining it by taking on a housemate. You get to age in place and your housemate gains a more affordable way to live.
2. There will be another adult to share chores and responsibilities and to provide a helping hand when needed.
3. It is more likely that someone will be around to help you if take a fall, to notice if you don’t come home or to call 9-1-1 when necessary. This can provide real peace of mind. There is a sense of security that comes with having a housemate- and not just when you hear a noise in the middle of the night.
4. You gain companionship and people to potentially share holidays and special occasions. Your circle can grow as you meet the friends and family that a housemate can bring to the equation. Only you can decide if this is desirable or not.
5. A sense of community is good for your mind, body, and spirit. We need people around us to offer advice or support, to laugh together, to break bread, to get us out of the house and push us to try new things. Living with other people is one way to create such a valuable support circle.