Top tips for elderly on homesharing

Homesharing is a simple concept

Homesharing can be carried out in a variety of ways, but one way which seems to work really well is when the share involves the young and the old

This type of Homeshare  brings together older adults (the Hosts), who have a spare room to rent in their homes, and young people (the Guests), who are looking for affordable accommodation

This type of accommodation is especially suitable for young people undertaking low-paid work experience, apprentices and interns

Homesharing creates a wonderful opportunity for these Hosts and Guests to benefit each other and solves problems for them both

How older adults benefit from homesharing with young people

Hosts using the service can benefit from additional income and the opportunity of sharing their home with someone, on a flexible basis to suit their needs

With a reliable and friendly young Guest staying in their spare room, Hosts will have a lodger, who is willing to help around the house, and hopefully a friend with whom to spend time and share interests and experience.

How homesharing benefits the young

They will get very cost-effective accommodation and in some cases even free accommodation

Young Guests, who may be new to the area, will have a friendly Host to welcome them

They will settle more quickly and get more out of their stay

They may also learn from sharing skills and experience with their older Host

A case history

One of Room for Tea’s recent matches has involved 26 year-old Nikki, from Hungary, and 91 year-old Betty, from London

Betty was looking for someone to help prepare her meals and do some light cleaning around the house

In exchange for her help, Nikki receives free accommodation and weekly English lessons given by Betty, who used to be an English teacher

How does homesharing work in practice? 

The value of Homesharing, is that it is safe and reliable, yet remaining an affordable service

Each Homesharing scheme offers long-term personalised support to its registered Hosts

Guests are vetted and interviewed before they can participate in Homesharing

Homesharing schemes have processes in place to deal with any issues which could arise at the result of a stay

The well-being of their registered Hosts and Guests is of paramount importance

Presenting homesharing to your elderly parent

Homesharing may appear to some as a patronising concept. It is therefore important to avoid it being portrayed as being about older adults not being able to live alone and needing help.

A ‘need-based’approach is not what most people want to buy into, even if the resulting service is actually very similar to this

Most older adults will be adamant about this- they don’t want help to be forced upon them

It is important, therefore,  to focus on the opportunities that a Homesharing scheme like Room for Tea provide, be it additional income, helping young people who are eager to get ahead in their careers, or receiving a little help around the house

When inviting a new Guest into one’s home, there are lots of concerns to take into consideration and to address before one feels comfortable with moving forward. Homesharing schemes take these concerns really seriously, and will offer personalised advice and guidance

Room for Tea

Room for Tea is a London-based Homesharing service which connects friendly younger guests with Hosts, who have a spare room in their homes. Homesharing is a viable option for young people moving down toLondonto undertake low-paid work experience.  Current Hosts range from 38 to 91 years old, though a large part of the idea behind Room for Tea is about reaching older adults who are not always online. With this is mind, alongside the website, Room for Tea acts as a co-ordinator, to ensure that those who do not have access to the web can still use Room for Tea.

Interested in finding out more?

See our website www.roomfortea.com  or contact us on 0203 239 4913 or [email protected]