Many families today are struggling with uncertainty and threats to home and hearth. Financial instability is a reality for people who have had their work hours reduced or lost their jobs completely. In this episode of Eldercare Illuminated, we’re exploring an idea that predates the country’s troubles of 2020 and has the potential to provide some relief to caregivers and the adults they love. That’s home-sharing.

Housemates have been a standard for young people starting out after completing their education. What are the many benefits that may be available to an older adult when sharing a living space? Amy Ford, of Silvernest, discusses how this little known option can provide different kinds of support for your loved one. In this discussion, we cover:

- What types of help can be built into a home-sharing agreement
- Safe ways you and your loved one can find a housemate
- Questions to consider when interviewing an applicant
- The importance of creating a formal home sharing agreement to protect both your loved one and her new housemate

Check out these resources to explore the home-sharing option further:

- Silvernest (http://silvernesthome.com/torchlight)
- Senior Homeshares (https://www.seniorhomeshares.com/
- National Shared Housing Resource Center (http://nationalsharedhousing.org/program-directory/)

About Our Guest:

Amy Ford is the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Business Development for Silvernest, an online roommate-matching service that pairs empty nesters, retirees and other aging adults with long-term housemates. Amy joined Silvernest from the National Council on Aging (NCOA), where she was the senior director of financial wellness, responsible for leading a team in the Economic Security division that provides education to older adults on a variety of topics related to financial wellness, including the question of considering accessing their home equity.
Before joining NCOA, Amy supported housing counselors in the training division of a large community development organization, NeighborWorks America.