Report reveals dementia & poor mobility primary drivers for homesharing
The Homeshare Association, which aims to strengthen collaborations between the homeshare market and the health and social care sector, has released a report which provides a unique insight into the current homeshare market and what’s on the horizon.
One of the key findings of the report reveals that the primary drivers for seeking a homeshare arrangement are poor mobility, 30%, and dementia, 26%.
Homeshare matches older people who need some help to live independently in their own home with younger people (often aged between 20 and 50), who provide a low level of practical support such as shopping, cooking meals, or light gardening, in exchange for accommodation.
Homeshare is a valuable health and social care model, and as the report confirms, benefits many types of people. It is particularly beneficial for older people living with dementia, Parkinson’s disease, or those who have mobility issues or are socially isolated. The list of primary drivers for homeshare arrangements also includes, poor eyesight, deafness, bereavement, falls risk, bipolar disorder, heart/lung risk, and memory issues.
The report confirms that homeshare is a flexible service which sits well amongst other support services, such as domiciliary care, and 100% of older people in a homeshare arrangement report a positive impact on their health and wellbeing.
The average age of a householder, according to the 2023 report, is 84. The median length of a homeshare match is between 9 – 15 months, with the longest current match in its 10th year. While the average age of a sharer is 39, the Homeshare Association’s data reveals the oldest 70 and the youngest 22, which highlights the breadth of appeal.
Amanda Clarke from Share and Care Homeshare, founding members of The Homeshare Association said, “The Homeshare Association is in a unique position to share in-depth understanding gathered from our membership organisations, and our inaugural report provides an invaluable insight into the powerful impact of homeshare arrangements, and importantly details what needs to be undertaken to increase take up. Homeshare is certainly playing a greater role in supporting people to live independently in their own homes, and building greater connections across health and social care and local authorities will ultimately overcome some of the main challenges currently faced.”
The barriers to take up of homeshare are also identified, and the report confirms that more needs to be undertaken to offer homeshare as a solution when someone leaves hospital. It also cites the importance of reaching older people before crisis, as homesharing can be an effective preventive step, reducing pressure of GPs, hospitals and other NHS resources.
The Homeshare Association’s vision is to build the homeshare sector further and be the recognised voice of authority, and the insight from this report reinstates its leading presence, revealing compelling homeshare data.
To view the Homeshare Report 2023, please visit the Homeshare Association website, or if you are working with someone who could benefit from a homeshare arrangement, please contact Share and Care Homeshare on 020 3865 3398.
Homeshare Association
The Homeshare Association is a body of experienced independent national homeshare providers with 30+ years collective experience in delivering homeshare across the UK. Three organisations united to launch the Homeshare Assocation; Share and Care Homeshare, Supportmatch Homeshare, and THE HomeShare.
The purpose of the Homeshare Association is to promote the homeshare movement and its independent, national homeshare providers across the UK and Republic of Ireland. It ensures that high standards are upheld in the homeshare industry and is the authority voice, increasing awareness of homeshare as a mainstream option within social care. https://homeshareassociation.org/