Council on Aging - Answers 2023 - 45

COUNCIL ON AGING - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
specifically for older adults, and found Becky Miller,
72, who owns a two-bedroom, two-bathroom
ranch-style townhouse in Longmont, Colorado.
After Miller's divorce, she became a single
parent and just didn't save as much as she needed
for retirement. She got a part-time job but decided
to also rent spare space in her home. A year and
half ago, she and Mears matched on Silvernest.
" Marlene contacted me, she came over and had
an interview, " recalls Miller. " She met my needs
and we just hit it off. "
Home Sharing Is Growing
Riley Gibson, president of Silvernest, which is
based in Boulder, Colorado, says his site added an
average of 3,000 registered users a month over the
past year. Los Angeles, Denver and Phoenix are its
biggest markets, but users are spread throughout
the West. Gibson says there are 56 other homesharing
programs in 23 states.
Some matching services are offered by not-forprofit
organizations. The National Shared Housing
Resource Center, a network of independent nonprofit
home-sharing programs, has a directory of
member agencies across the country.
" Our typical user falls between the ages of fifty
to seventy and sixty percent are female, " Gibson
says. " We don't have scientific data on the benefits
of older people home sharing, but we know that
it helps people achieve financial stability, which is
key to health, and it reduces social isolation, which
is also key to health. "
Debbie Gentry, a realtor for The Villages, one of
the largest communities for people 55 and older, says
the number of residents who live with roommates
is growing, but people didn't want to be interviewed
about it. " They're embarrassed, " Gentry says.
Dealing With Roommate Stigma
Mears says many of her friends and relatives
think it is " odd " to live with someone at her age.
" They ask why I'm doing it, " she says. " I must
explain the benefits. "
Being an older adult with a roommate carries a
bias for many. " The biggest challenge is normalizing
Council On Aging - Southern California | 714-479-0107 | www.coasc.org
it, " says Gibson. " We're finding the view beginning
to shift and we're even seeing households with more
than one roommate, creating their own " Golden
Girls " -type household. " " It helps people achieve
financial stability, which is key to health. "
Gibson says Silvernest surveyed 300 people last
year and found that 26% of the responders said
they were more likely to share a home than they
would have been in the past.
Mears and Miller say they believe they have forged
a lasting friendship. They have met each other's
families, and Miller has even welcomed members
of Mears' family into the home during visits. The
roommates help each other by, for example, driving
to medical appointments and say the key to making a
roommate situation work is mutual respect.
" The only downside is knowing that Marlene
may move one day, and I'll have to find someone
else, " says Miller.
Tips on Finding Compatible Roommates
Gibson says his company does basic due
diligence on prospective roommates, such as
background checks and identity verification. It
also tries to match people based on the following:
n Making sure each party knows whether the
other's interest in being a roommate is based on
financial need, a desire for companionship or both.
n Determining if each roommate is a smoker
or non-smoker, and whether either has strong
feelings about it.
n Asking if roommates are comfortable with
pets, which species are dealbreakers and whether
pet care and costs will be shared.
n Deciding who, if anyone, will work at home
and where remote workers can set up office.
n Reaching agreement on the division of chores.
n Establishing if roommates can agree on
whether to keep the house warm or cool.
" The biggest mistake people make is trying to
rush it, " says Gibson. " We encourage both parties
to be picky. "
Website nextavenue.org
Reprinted with permission from Next Avenue.
Answers Guide 23/24
45
HOUSING
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Council on Aging - Answers 2023

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