Bulletin Board Archives - Share & Care

Attendance Allowance Eligibility

amanda — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 10:48:37 +0000

What is Attendance Allowance, and could you be eligible?

* Information correct February 2026

Attendance Allowance is a crucial, yet often over-looked, benefit for people over State Pension age. It helps with extra costs if you have a disability or health condition severe enough that you need someone to help look after you.

Payments are not means-tested so your income and any savings don’t affect your eligibility; Attendance Allowance is based on you and how your condition affects you. Being in receipt of Attendance Allowance also potentially unlocks other support.

This benefit can make a real difference to your finances, helping to cover the cost of care, daily support and other such related needs.

Eligibility

You can get Attendance Allowance if you have reached State Pension Age and the following apply:

you have a physical disability (including sensory disability, for example blindness), a mental disability (including learning difficulties), or a health condition
your disability or health condition is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you, for your own or someone else’s safety
you have needed that help for at least 6 months

Payments

It’s paid at two different rates with the rate depending on the level of care that you need because of your disability or health condition; a lower rate for day or night help, and a higher rate for both day and night, or if you’re terminally ill.

Currently the rates are either £73.90 or £110.40 a week, and the payments are to help with personal support if both of the following apply:

you have a physical disability, a mental disability, or a health condition
you’re State Pension Age, or older

It does not cover mobility needs.

You could get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction if you get Attendance Allowance.

You do not have to have someone caring for you in order to claim.

How Does it Work?

When applying for Attendance Allowance, the key is how it affects you.

Focus on Care Needs:It’s about needing help with things like dressing, eating, washing, getting to the toilet, bathing, walking, or needing supervision for safety.
What to Include:Detail the specific help you need, when you need it, why you need it, and for how long, using a diary can help. Don’t leave things out just because no one helps you yet – focus on what you struggle with, particularly on bad days. You do not need a formal assessment by social services, but you must show that you’ve required help for at least six months.
Don’t Miss Out:Many people are eligible but don’t claim Attendance Allowance due to confusion over whether they are eligible, or the complexity of the application.
Detailed Forms:The application is long, but be thorough and don’t be embarrassed about personal needs.

How to Apply;

Visit www.gov.uk or a support charity (such as Age UK, Citizen’s Advice) to download the form and start detailing your needs.

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Benefits of using a Homeshare Agency to find your Sharer

ShareandCare — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 15:00:35 +0000

Choosing between a Homeshare agency and an independent arrangement involves balancing safety, support, and convenience that comes through using a professional agency, against the cost and direct control of finding a Sharer privately.

Agencies offer peace-of-mind through stringent vetting, a detailed licence agreement and experienced ongoing support; independent sharing arrangements may provide a little more flexibility but require significant personal effort and risk assessment. As the cost of having a Sharer through a Homeshare agency is very low, are the risks of ‘going it alone’ really worth it?

In an era defined by rising costs of living, increasing pressures on the care sector, and growing awareness of the positives of community, Homeshare has emerged as a practical, compassionate and much-needed solution. It connects people with a spare room who would benefit from a level of live-in practical help to continue to live independently in their own home, with helpful people looking for accommodation, thereby creating mutually-beneficial living arrangements.

Some people may think, ‘Why do I need to use an agency? I can just find someone myself online?’. This is true, but here we explore the pros of using an agency, and some of the potential pitfalls of managing a Homeshare independently.

Finding the ‘right match’

An experienced agency will have a professional website which will usually have a regularly-updated ‘listings page’ of available Homeshare opportunities. They may also have a database of potential Sharers who are interested in Homeshare opportunities in specific areas.

Additionally, they will use other online accommodation sites to advertise specific opportunities, sites that anyone could use if they are looking independently.

Depending on the location of an opportunity, an Ad on one of these sites might receive upwards of 100 enquiries. This is an enormous number of enquiries for an individual to process, and to decide which applicants may, or may not, be suitable.

An experienced agency will have a depth of knowledge to help them assess which enquiries to follow-up on, and which applicants to invite to a detailed interview. During interview, an agency’s questions are designed to ‘weed out’ people who may not be suitable for whatever reason. At this stage, the applicant only has general details of the potential Homeshare, so there is no direct contact and the Householder is protected.

With a professional agency, when they have interviewed a candidate who is a good match, and when they have checked their ID, Right to Rent, and references, at that stage their profile would be put forward to the Householder/their family to assess and decide if they would like to meet; the Householder’s identity is kept private until that stage.

For an individual, deciding who to interview can be a daunting process; it is also harder for an individual to curtail an interview or tell a candidate that they are not suitable, for example for concern about ‘being rude’, or for fear of repercussions as the candidate has the householder/their family member’s contact details.

Rigorous Vetting and Safety Checks

Before a Sharer moves into a Homeshare with a family, it is really important that they are fully-vetted and an agency will conduct extensive safeguarding procedures.

In addition to ID verification and Right-to-Rent checks (which are a legal obligation) and immigration status, a Homeshare agency apply for an Enhanced DBS Check* as well as a Credit Check which will also disclose any County Court Judgements (CCJs) against the applicant. These checks are paramount for peace-of-mind and security.

* An individual cannot apply for an Enhanced DBS Check on another person (or themselves); Enhanced checks are strictly for employers or eligible organisations to request for specific roles involving regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults, requiring the individual’s consent and adherence to strict eligibility criteria. Because Enhanced DBS Checks reveal sensitive criminal record information, they are legally restricted to roles where someone’s suitability to work with vulnerable groups needs assessing. Only registered employers or umbrella bodies (acting as intermediaries) can initiate these checks for eligible positions, ensuring proper safeguarding.

An individual would only be able to apply for a Basic DBS Check shows only unspent convictions and conditional cautions, while an Enhanced DBS check includes all that information plus any relevant details held by local police and checks against the barred lists, making it the most thorough check for roles involving children or vulnerable adults.

Legal Framework and Licence Agreement

A reputable Homeshare agency will use a comprehensive, legally-vetted and drawn-up Licence Agreements which is specifically worded to avoid creating a contract of employment or tenancy rights for the Sharer, thus ensuring that both parties are protected.

These documents are regularly updated to reflect changes in legislation, offering robust legal protection that an individual without legal expertise would struggle to replicate.

Clarity of roles and indedendent advice

A Homeshare agency will ensure that there are clear boundaries and expectations of the arrangement, which are essential for clarity. Much of this will be included withing the Homeshare Licence Agreement – including the normal duties, house rules and expectations both for the Householder and the Sharer.

However, the on-going involvement of an agency plays a very important role in helping to minimise and resolve potential misunderstandings and conflicts along the way.

Things can change during the life of a Homeshare match, whether it’s a change in a Householder’s physical and/or mental health, and change in the Sharer’s job/availability, or a perhaps a change to other third-party involvement (eg family members / carer/ care agencies). Even in what has been a happy and settled arrangement, these and any number of other factors can have an impact on a Homeshare, and may require help to navigate.

Managing issues and conflicts can be stressful, especially when directly involved. When we’re directly involved in a situation, it can be hard to step back from our own feelings. That sometimes makes it difficult to see how the situation might look from the other person’s perspective, or what impact it might be having on them. Having a bit of distance can help bring a clearer, more balanced view of what’s happening for everyone.

Being one-step removed from the arrangement, an Homeshare agency can draw on its extensive experience and act as an impartial arbitrator, listening to all parties’ perspectives and helping to seek a resolution.

A professional agency will also have established procedures for conflict resolution, which helps to prevent small disagreements or misunderstanding from escalating into relationship breakdowns or legal battles. The clear terms of the Homeshare Licence Agreement, alongside stringent Safeguarding procedures also offer the security of the Agency helping to navigate the termination of an arrangement if notice has to be served.

Homeshare can change lives — but only when it’s done well.
A professional agency removes much of the risk, complexity and uncertainty, replacing it with expertise, structure and support. For most people, that peace of mind is not just valuable — it’s essential.

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Walking with purpose with dementia

ShareandCare — Fri, 16 May 2025 13:38:48 +0000

One of the most difficult issues for family and carers is the worry that the person living with dementia is going to ‘wander off’ and put themselves at risk of harm. Most families and carers spend a lot of time ensuring that the person living with dementia is kept safe, so it is a particular worry when the person living with dementia starts to go off on a walk, whether during the day or at night.

In fact, 6 out of 10 people living with dementia will do this at some time. Here we look at the causes of this and some suggestions for how to deal with it.

Is it ‘Wandering’, or ‘Walking With Purpose’?

The Alzheimer’s Society (www.alzheimers.org.uk) explicitly rejects the term ‘Wandering’ because they feel that the term implies that there is a purposelessness in the activity. The Society points out that people living with dementia will walk about for what is, in their own minds, a perfectly good reason.

Reasons for ‘Walking About’

In fact, one of the key strategies in dealing with ‘walking about’ is to understand why the person is doing it. Gently asking the person who is walking about, or has just returned from a walk, where they were going? Or if they were looking for something? Or if they needed something (e.g. the loo, a glass of water)? Understanding why someone is walking around can help to identify the trigger for their behaviour.

Sometimes the person living with dementia is following an old routine (e.g. doing the school run, going to work, working in the garden). Sometimes they are looking for someone who has died or something that they think they have misplaced. In each case, it helps to identify what they were doing – and also to gain an idea about where they might be going, or where they may have gone.

One of the more difficult reasons for walking about can be simple restlessness or boredom. In this case, one of the solutions might be to incorporate some gentle activities into their daily routine, so that the impulse to walk around is met in a safe way, and at a time when they can be accompanied.

Finally, and perhaps the most difficult reason to deal with, is simply that they are confused and not really able to describe why they are walking around, or where they were going.

Preventing unsupervised walking around

Experts recommend a variety of ways of making doors less attractive and obvious to people living with dementia – painting them the same colour as the walls and/or covering them with a curtain can help. As can placing a dark rug in front of the door (some people living with dementia will see a dark rug as a hole which they do not want to fall into). Keeping coats, keys and outdoor “kit” out of sight is also recommended.

Alarms and devices

There are a number of alarms and devices ranging from door alarms, GPS tracking devices and camera systems which can help carers/family members/Sharers to feel reassured by the knowledge that they will know if the person living with dementia has left the house.

Some people may feel uncomfortable about installing such devices as there is a suggestion of surreptitious surveillance about them. But for others they may be invaluable ways of allowing carers/family members/Sharers to feel reassured enough to leave the person living with dementia alone for short periods of time.

What to do if someone living with dementia has gone for a walk?

Police advice is to;

Call 999 as soon as you realise that someone living with dementia is missing. Quick action is very important; the police will treat your call as urgent.
Have several copies of a recent, close-up photograph of the person to give to the police and anyone else who might be searching for them.
Have a written description of the person to pass onto the police. Include details of their appearance, clothing worn and any medication they might be taking.
Keep a list of places that the person may have worked, lived, visited frequently or socialised as they often try to head back to places they have known.
If the person has been reported as missing before, inform the police. A record of the person will already exist and can be updated, saving police time and enabling a faster search.
When the person returns try not to show them that you have been worried. If they have got lost, they may be feeling anxious themselves. Reassure them and quickly get them back into a familiar routine.

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Dementia denial: how homeshare helps

ShareandCare — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 11:32:11 +0000

Dementia denial can occur not only to people who have been diagnosed, but also to their individual family members or carers.

Often in these situations, people cannot – or are not – able to accept the diagnosis. It is a very difficult, complex time for all involved, and adjusting to a diagnosis can be challenging. There may also be a lack of understanding and awareness – avoiding or not recognising a dementia diagnosis can lead to certain difficulties or problems.

As the Homeshare Association 2023 report confirms, one of the primary drivers for seeking a homeshare arrangement is dementia and people living with dementia are among those most likely to benefit from this type of arrangement. We have seen a rise in the number of people in homeshare arrangements who live with dementia, partly due to growing awareness of the benefits of homeshare to the life of the person who is living with dementia, but also due to increasing numbers of people receiving a dementia diagnosis.

As homeshare is for everyone and anyone, we have also found that it helps address dementia denial in different ways.

Sharers are friends, not carers

The fact that sharers give their support in a manner of a friend – and not a carer – can make accepting help easier. Many of the families we work with take this approach with very successful outcomes. The sharer moves into the home on the understanding that they are becoming a friend of the family. The whole arrangement is positioned as a circle of support – the householder is aware that they are giving something back to their new friend by providing their sharer with a room in their home.

Our sharers and householders do form genuine, strong, intergenerational friendships and speak very highly of how valuable this is and the difference it makes to their lives having become like family to each other.

Sharers support ‘in the background’

It’s not unusual for people with dementia to turn help away, or even refuse to have any help at all. However, as sharers are not carers, they are able to assist people with dementia in a low-key way – their support could be considered ‘under the radar’ as they are able to help ‘quietly’ in the background. For instance, organising appointments, ensuring there is food in the fridge that’s within the use-by dates, encouraging eating meals together to ensure the person with dementia eats, helping to locate missing items, or acting as a prompt to take medication when needed and helping with diary management.

Our sharers provide that gentle nudge for people’s daily routines, in a friendly and non-invasive way.

A pillar for individuals or couples

Many people are aware just how well homeshare works for single older people who were otherwise living alone, but may not know that homeshare works just as well for couples. For instance, we support couples with a sharer; often when one has been diagnosed with dementia and they would both benefit from a level a of practical and moral support.

An alternative choice

There are many occasions when people do not need residential care, or live-in carers, both of which can often be flagged as the first port of call. And although homeshare can indeed run alongside a care package, it is also an option in its own right.

Homeshare provides an alternative and, often, a much better-suited choice for people living with dementia.

Homeshare is for everyone

Whilst homeshare is incredibly effective for people with a dementia diagnosis, it is for everyone and anyone who needs some support around the home.

Remember that whilst many of our householders do benefit from the practical support that sharers provide, there are also some householders who only seek the companionship and reassurance that there is someone else in their home; or others who benefit from a mix of everything.

It also provides reassurance for families; homeshare can be particularly useful for families who do not live nearby and are unable to provide instant face-to-face support to their loved ones, as it provides peace-of-mind to all parties.

Making it work for you

Homesharing is adaptable to the individual needs of a wide range of older people; its flexibility is one of the reasons that its such an attractive and effective choice for those living with dementia.

If you’d like to talk to our team about how homeshare could work in your own circumstances or that of a loved one, give us a call today. Our founder is a Dementia Friends Ambassador, who also delivers dementia information sessions to our clients and the wider community; and we would welcome the opportunity to talk to you about the positive impact of homeshare for those living with dementia.

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Your safeguarding questions answered

ShareandCare — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 09:51:10 +0000

Choosing to open your home to someone outside your existing network and invite them to live alongside you is, for many, a completely new experience. Understandably questions may arise around what steps are taken to ensure the protection and safety of householders and safeguarding is one of the key points that householders and their families want to find out more about.

Apprehension around homesharing is generally part of a cultural and generational unfamiliarity about sharing one’s home. Generally people in the UK in their 80’s/90’s were able to buy a home at a cost that meant they have lived only with family members until partners died and/or children fled the nest so have never experienced having strangers in their home.

If you’re considering the merits of a homeshare arrangement for you or for a loved one, we would like to share an insight into the measures that we’ve put in place to ensure safety and protection of our householders.

How safe is homeshare? Share and Care Homeshare undertake rigorous safeguarding procedures. Importantly, our Sharers are vetted to the same level as carers, or perhaps even to a higher level as we do not just accept references confirming dates of employment like care providers; we expect references to come from a variety of sources so we get a rounded idea of the person.

What safeguarding procedures are followed?

Our safeguarding procedures are extensive – each and everyone of our sharers undergoes rigorous vetting which includes:

References – Sharers must provide three references who we personally contact.
Checks including enhanced DBS, ID, Right to Rent and credit checks
Interviews – out team takes the time to interview each sharer to find out more about their personal lives and background. This is a very in-depth interview to assess their suitability and compatibility with the householder.
Matching process – Our matching process is unbeatable! We are careful to match householders and sharers with common ground. For instance, we think about culture, language, personal preference, diets, interests, and more – all of which ensure success, and are the building blocks for a happy, fulfilling homeshare experience.
Homeshare agreement – All parties are required to sign and agree to our ‘Homeshare Licence Agreement’, which is. contract to share the home under licence, not as a tenant.
Homeshare policies and procedures – All sharers receive a copy of Share and Care Homeshare’s ‘Safeguarding Policy and Procedures’ document which they commit to follow.
Ongoing support- Regular, ongoing contact and support ensures that we are fully up-to-date with how the arrangement is running and provides an opportunity to discuss any issues or concerns should they arise.
Clear complaints procedure- should a concern surface, we have. clear, easy-to-follow companies procedure.

Are there any other safeguarding steps? We have ongoing commitment to ensure best practice, and we therefore monitoring developments around safeguarding to ensure that our policies and reporting procedures are up-to-date and relevant.

We have also invested in technology and training to ensure that we have the knowledge and experience to offer the very best safeguarding to our clients. Amanda Clarke, one of our directors is our safeguarding lead and has completed the SCIE(Social Care Institute for Excellence) Safeguarding for Adults course.

How would a safeguarding issue be managed? Through following the safeguarding steps that are in place, the likelihood of any issues is minimal. However, if a situation was to occur, we would handle any situation with the utmost care and sensitivity for everyone involved. We would work swiftly and diplomatically to resolve any issues with householder, family and sharer, and if needed, we would also work with other agencies or social care professionals.

Our advise to approaching homeshare is everyone is a stranger until they become a friend!

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Report reveals 100% of people would recommend homeshare arrangements

ShareandCare — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 14:45:57 +0000

The Homeshare Association, the membership organisation for providers which is driving the homeshare movement across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, has released its inaugural annual report which reveals a unique insight into the current market and what’s on the horizon.

Recognising the work of independent and early stage homeshare providers, the Homeshare Associations vision is to build the homeshare sector further and be the recognised voice of authority and the insight in this report reinstates its leading presence.

The latest report, released this week, takes a closer look into who is benefiting from homeshare and the primary drivers for seeking an arrangement. With poor mobility the reason behind 30% of homeshare arrangements, and diagnosed dementia 26%, the report also acknowledges the wide range of drivers stating that there are often more than one.

Homeshare huge hit

The survey results reveal some compelling data; 100% of people living in homeshare arrangements said they would recommend homeshare, or already have, and 100% of older people and younger people reported a positive impact on their health and wellbeing.

The average age of sharer is 39, the oldest is 70 and youngest is 22; highlighting the breadth of appeal and 75% of sharers reported that they would be happy to homeshare again. On average, a householder is 84 years old, and the median length of a match in 2022 was 9 – 15 months.

It also details how homeshare, as a flexible service, not only benefits different types of people but also sits well amongst other support services. With membership organisations adhering to strict standards, the Association addresses how homeshare supports government, the NHS and social care, and the compelling cost savings that are achievable via the homeshare route.

To support this, the report publishes insight from a London-based social prescriber on how the growing collaboration between social prescribing and homeshare can support communities at scale.

What lies ahead for homeshare

There is strong need for arrangements of this type, and with health and social care services stretched to the max, homeshare matches will undoubtedly continue to grow.

To facilitate this growth, the report addresses the barriers that need to be tackled and makes the case for a Council Tax review for older people in a homeshare arrangement. Currently a householder is likely to lose their 25% single person discount, which can significantly impact people during the current cost-of-living crisis.

More also needs to be done to offer homeshare as a solution when people leave hospital, and this requires greater awareness of the homeshare model in the NHS, and possibly incentives to encourage older people to being more receptive to sharing their home.

The report concludes with recommendations that could improve the take up of homeshare in the UK. From reaching householders earlier as a preventative step, to local authorities pushing awareness-building campaigns, and the ability for householders to pay for a homeshare service via their care allowance.

“We are in a unique position to share in depth insight gathered from our membership organisations, and our inaugural annual 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. Let’s collaboratively drive the homeshare movement,” explains Amanda Clarke, founding member of the Homeshare Association.

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Homeshare should be more embedded in social care – it’s an excellent initiative says Social Prescriber

ShareandCare — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 14:58:34 +0000

For social prescribing, homeshare provision is a sustainable option which sits within health and social care and enables social prescribers to offer tailored support to enrich the lives of people across generations, and across local communities.

It is especially beneficial for older people living with mobility issues, Dementia or Parkinson’s, adults with support needs or disabilities, and younger people who have a housing need. Social prescribers can also utilise homeshare for families who have children or young adults with physical disabilities or learning difficulties such as autism, ADHD or Down’s Syndrome.

Senior Social Prescriber, Ruth Grainger, who works across the Richmond and Wandsworth communities talks to Share and Care Homeshare about the growing collaboration between social prescribing and homeshare, which can support communities at scale.

Q: What is your opinion on homesharing?

Homesharing is an excellent initiative. The whole premise behind it is to keep people living in their own home as long as possible, it’s really person-centred and that’s what social prescribing is all about; putting people at the centre of their own care, and connecting people within communities. Homesharing and social prescribing share the same values.

Homesharing is an invaluable service, which delivers impact across many areas. It benefits older and younger people, and also has a knock-on effect across many different areas within the health and social care sector, more than you would imagine – and I think it should therefore be more embedded in social care.

Q: Is there a level of awareness of homesharing within social prescribing?

Absolutely. Within my team, we certainly discuss homeshare and quite a few colleagues signpost people to homeshare initiatives. For social prescribers, the key challenge is getting the message across to people that it’s ok to share your space with someone else, as initially people can be concerned about this aspect. What’s important is for us to explain and demonstrate the benefits of homeshare and the difference it can make to people’s lives.

Q: What is the main challenge around social prescribing and homesharing?

People can be concerned about having someone else live in their space, so one of the key aspects for us as social prescribers is to reassure people that homesharing is a safe and well-vetted service. It’s about helping people understand that homesharing is a positive move and there are endless benefits.

There is some great information from Share and Care Homeshare that we run through with people, and the videos showing householders and sharers are absolutely fantastic as you can see first-hand the difference it is making to people’s lives, and hear directly from those living in homeshare arrangements.

Q: Would you recommend the homesharing route to other social prescribers?

I would definitely recommend that social prescribers consider homeshare and make people aware of how it works, and why it works so well – explain the benefits, from the practical aspect, to the companionship of having someone else in the house to have a chat and a giggle with!

My tip is that it’s also worth persevering with people – they may initially knock the idea back, but keep it on the table and keep referring back to it if it suits their situation.

Also, remember it’s a very easy referral process for social prescribers. We can simply give Share and Care Homeshare a call, refer the individual, and they manage the rest from there.

If you’re a social prescriber and you would like to know more about homeshare, or refer someone, please get in touch with our team, we’d be happy to help!

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What impact does homeshare have across the generations?

ShareandCare — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 13:30:53 +0000

Without question, homeshare is advantageous regardless of age. From those in their 20s to those in their 80s and 90s, as well as their own families and loved ones, homeshare touches lives across generations.

People of all ages who live in homeshare arrangements speak of the positive impact that sharing a home with another individual has on different aspects of their lives. For many, it is a life-changing experience that brings welcome and meaningful change, and over the years, we have heard some wonderful stories about shared friendships and the strong connections that homeshare has helped shape.

Whilst people in homeshare arrangements are at different stages in their lives, it’s clear that there are mutual benefits as well as those that are more specific by age – be it younger or older. The most common of which stem from companionship, the feeling of self-worth by supporting someone else, and the reassurance and security of someone in the home overnight.

Householders often report feeling more secure and at ease because there is someone to look out for them and raise the alarm in case of emergencies. The benefit of having another pair of eyes and ears, and a helping hand, is indispensable to many because it empowers older people to live independent lives and to thrive in their own environment.

Whether it be mowing the grass, picking up a bottle of milk from the shops, or winding down at the end of the day watching a TV programme together – having someone else around to chip in with day-to-day activities is comforting. This level of support helps people to see situations in a more helpful way and triggers better thoughts, feelings and emotions supporting better mental health and wellbeing.

The rental crisis is, for the younger generation, a cause of distress and many of our sharers tell us that homesharing is an effective way to enable them to live affordably in a nice area, in a welcoming home – having the option to share a home in this way overcomes the ongoing struggles that younger people face when searching for accommodation.

Here’s a glimpse into what our householders, and sharers, have told us about the impact of homeshare on their lives.

Johanna, 56, homeshares with Iris, 92 in London

“I was living in a houseshare in London where I was struggling financially and I thought, ‘I’ve got to see if there’s another way of not paying so much rent.’ And then this idea about co-living came up and I thought, ‘wow, that’s such a good idea!. I’d say it’s like being a companion to someone.” Johanna.

“It’s companionship really. She’s always there when I need her.” Iris

Luciana, 42, homeshares with Flo, 84 in South West London

“Without Flo, I would have spend lockdown alone in a room paying £700 and only getting 80% of my salary on furlough, feeling depressed. We are different, but have a lot in common. It’s not about age … she’s really funny and very smart.” Luciana

“The joy of this is that if you’re old, you might not need care but just someone to nudge life along. It’s having somebody in the house to watch that the fridge is full, that there’s milk, to ask ‘Have you eaten?. Luciana is my eyes and ears.” Flo’s daughter Katie

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Homesharing: cost-effective for younger and older people

ShareandCare — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 12:03:30 +0000

With the cost-of-living soaring, household bills have rocketed, petrol and food prices have spiked, and inflation is set to rise again in the coming weeks, greatly affecting our spending habits and causing us to consider more cost-effective choices across all parts of our lives.

Homeshare is an extremely affordable option that enables people across all ages to reap the benefits of intergenerational community-based living.

A low-cost service for older people

When older people need extra support, it’s common to be signposted to the more traditional routes of care, such as a care home. This level of support may not be required, and of course, it is the most expensive option which can run into thousands of pounds. Live-in care is another familiar option. Again, it’s a significant expense, which depending on the level of care required, can cost from £650 per week.

There is a misconception that if older people have reduced mobility or a disability, they will receive financial help to pay for support or access free services, however as many of you may already know, this is not the case.

The key question at this early point in the decision-making process is, what is the real level of support and care needed? Could you or your loved one remain in their own home if a lower level of support was available?

For those who want to live independently, without the high costs of a care home, or live-in care, a homeshare arrangement is a cost-effective option which saves thousands of pounds.

Homeshare: invaluable, low level support

Homeshare typically costs £35 per week, compared to hundreds of pounds for home care, or indeed even more for residential care. It is significantly better value and can even be paid for out of the Attendance Allowance, and sit alongside other support services and care packages.

An added benefit, which also saves a householder money, is that sharers provide 15 hours assistance per week with tasks such as vacuuming, collecting the weekly shop, or cooking a hot dinner. An extra pair of hands is of course invaluable for people who experience challenges with daily tasks. In fact, during the period of a 9-month homeshare, ONS (2019) research found that £3,240 was saved on household tasks alone.

Saving younger people money

Equally for younger people, homeshare is a very low-cost route to remain in the community in which they have always lived, or indeed to move to an area they would otherwise be unable to afford due to high rental costs.

Most of our sharers are students or professionals aged between 25-59, often working under 30 hours per week. With arrangement starting from just £150 per month for sharers, homeshare is a more viable and attractive option than social housing or private rental; again saving thousands of pounds.

Affordable alternative

With younger and older people alike having to find ways to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, affordable alternative choices are gaining prominence, and homesharing is cost-effective accommodation choice for everyone.

If you would like to discuss the costs of homesharing, whether from a householder point of view or as a sharer, our team can run through the options. Contact us today on 020 3865 3398.

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How Music Helps People Living with Dementia

ShareandCare — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 12:46:29 +0000

Over the years, the team at Share and Care Homeshare has witnessed first-hand how music can help people living with dementia, which is why we are supporters of Music for Dementia, a UK-wide campaign calling for music to be accessible for everyone living with dementia.

To quote one of our Sharers, who lived with one of our Householers who found it difficult communicate due to her Alzheimer’s; “Our shared love of music was an important factor in our relationship. Share and Care picked up on our shared interest. If she was anxious, I would change the whole atmosphere by putting on music, or by playing music together. She may have been living with Alzheimer’s, but she was still very intuitive and loving.”

Sadly, the number of people being diagnosed with dementia is on the increase and, by 2025, will have exceeded 1m; yet there is no cure on the horizon. Music has a powerful and unique role to play in enhancing quality of life as it can help in many ways. Indeed, the ability to process, respond to and engage with music remains intact, however severe the dementia.

There is a growing evidence base to show that musical activities improve general attention, cognition, memory, speech and communication skills in people with dementia. They can also reduce agitation and the need for medication. Lived experience also relates that music is a wonderful connector, bringing people back into ‘the here and now’ to enjoy the moment with carers, family and friends.

The Music for Dementia campaign believes everyone living with the condition should have access to music as part of their care, from diagnosis, through treatment to end of life, with a wealth of information and resources on its website, including:

The Musical Guide to activities you might try in order to keep the music going during COVID-19
The Musical Map for Dementia – listings of musical services suitable for those with the condition, from singalongs and choirs to discos, live and recorded performances across a number of genres (currently all virtual and date-searchable, but to return to a postcode-centric map when appropriate)
Advice for family and professional carers at home
How to make the music personalised with playlists
The Musical Dementia Care Pathway – a document that shows how music can be woven through all phases of the dementia journey.

In June 2020, in direct response to the pandemic and the withdrawal of many in-person services due to lockdown, Music for Dementia launched m4d Radio. Developed in conjunction with people with dementia and their carers, this 24/7 free internet radio station plays era-specific music on 5 channels – mix, 30s-40s, 50s, 60s and 70s. It has won two dementia awards as a result and has been a huge hit with carers and people living with dementia alike.

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