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Homeshare is the exchange of housing for help in the home. A householder, typically an older person with a spare room, offers free or low-cost accommodation to another person in exchange for an agreed level of support. The support may include companionship, shopping, household tasks, gardening, care of pets and, increasingly, help to use the computer. Homeshare thus provides a solution to the needs of two groups of people - those in need of affordable housing, often younger people, and those in need of some support to live at home, usually older people. Homeshare programmes, many run by voluntary bodies, have taken root in at least thirteen countries worldwide, some of them with public funding. == Who benefits from homeshare and how? == Homeshare was originally set up to benefit older people who needed support to live independently, but the concept is flexible and can be adapted to meet local needs and circumstances. Homeshare is directly benefiting many people across the globe, including: * People with disabilities or support needs, of all ages * single parents who need help with child care * Students who need low-cost accommodation * Young people and key workers (such as nurses, police officers, teachers) who are priced out of the housing market * For Students from overseas, living with a host offers the chance to improve their English language skills. The direct benefits to older/disabled people include help with daily living, companionship and the security of having someone in the house, especially at night. There are even (recorded instances of homesharers saving lives ); for example a German homesharer called the emergency services when the householder had a heart attack. Other benefits include breaking down the barriers between generations and different cultures, fostering mutual understanding and tolerance. For instance, in an Australian program, an elderly Italian lady successfully shared her home with a Pakistani Muslim homesharer. Others benefit indirectly, Families of older people speak of the reassurance that their loved one has someone in the house, looking after their welfare. Public services benefit too, as homeshare can delay the need for costly services such as residential care. The following case study from the UK indicates how homeshare can benefit an older and a younger person. :''Josie, in her mid-70s, was referred to a homeshare programme by a hospital after a stroke severely affected her behaviour. The hospital was keen to discharge her if home support could be arranged. She was found a perfect match in Trevor, a young working man who needed accommodation and who handled Josie’s erratic ways with great diplomacy. Soon Josie adored him like a grandson and, keen to cook for him, regained all her independence skills. Trevor stayed with her for three years by which time Josie was well enough to live alone again.'' 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Homeshare」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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