After years of being surrounded by others the thought of living alone can be quite daunting.
The idea of home sharing isn’t new but it wasn’t until the television series “The Golden Girls” that it became a household word. The show aired in l985 and continues to be popular today, because it is still relevant.
Young people have been apartment sharing for a long time, but a group of older women was and still is a novel idea. Four seniors living together in one house may be a bit farfetched, but statistics still tell us that home sharing is an attractive alternative to living alone.
Host or tenant, seniors can reap the benefits of living in an actual household. Studies show that people living with congenial roommates tend to eat better, sleep better, are more active, and have fewer financial worries than those who try to wing it on their own.
The term shared housing refers to two or more unrelated people living together in a private home or apartment. They share common space, home maintenance, and bill paying.
Not everyone wants to invite strangers into their homes, and that is certainly their right, but do you really want to live alone?
Paranoia aside, who do you to chose to live with? Whether you prefer someone you know or a complete stranger is up to you. Homeowners and tenants can be matched by an outside agency that checks references and coordinates links between all parties; not unlike the dating services that have become so popular today. Successful programs depend on rigorous screening, written home-share agreements, trial periods preceding each match, and on-going monitoring.
Shared housing supports independence by providing financial stability, social connectedness and access to custodial services. Home sharing is ideal for people who prefer a home setting and enjoy having other people around.
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