🏡 Elder Home Share at 10 Years: How Homesharing Is Transforming Ageing and Housing in Ireland

A Decade of Connection, Care, and Companionship

Ten years ago, Elder Home Share started with a simple but powerful idea: what if a spare room in an older person’s home could provide safety and companionship for them — while offering affordable accommodation in Ireland to someone who needs it?

That first match — in a granny’s spare room in Dublin — showed just how much difference one shared home can make.

Since then, Elder Home Share has grown into a trusted Irish homesharing service, connecting older homeowners with carefully selected companions across the country. For many families, this has meant safety, friendship, and independence for their loved ones.

“Her presence provides all of us with a reassurance that would otherwise not be possible.”— Cathy, Dundrum

Why Homesharing Matters in Ireland

Ireland is facing two major challenges:

• An ageing population: More older people want to remain in their own homes, but living alone can mean loneliness and increased risks.

• A housing crisis: Younger people and students struggle to find safe, affordable accommodation.

Homesharing offers a creative, compassionate solution to both. By bringing people together, Elder Home Share creates safe and supportive living arrangements that benefit both generations.

“A spare room can change two lives. 💛 Celebrating 10 years of Elder Home Share — connecting generations, building friendships, and helping older people stay where they feel most at home.”

How Elder Home Share Works

Over the past decade, Elder Home Share has developed a proven, supportive process to make each match successful:

• ✅ Reference checks and vetting for companions

• 🏡 Compatibility interviews with homeowners and their families

• 📝 Clear agreements on routines, roles, and boundaries

• 🤝 Ongoing check-ins to ensure the match continues to work for everyone

It’s not just about filling a room — it’s about building trust, companionship, and peace of mind.

Real Stories From Our Community

The heart of Elder Home Share lies in the real human connections we see every day.

• “The peace of mind knowing someone is in the house at night is just fantastic.”— Maria, Dublin

• “It gave my mam an extra three years at home, living with someone she really liked.”— Aidan, Galway

• “I thought it was just about cheaper rent. But it turned into a friendship, a second family.”— Companion, Dublin

Patrick from Galway secured a match for his dad and now holds Elder Home Share’s longest-running homeshare — more than four years of shared living. 'The Key is to take time to find the right person thought interviewing and getting to know the candidate.'

The Ripple Effect of Homesharing

Homesharing is more than a housing solution — it creates intergenerational friendships and stronger communities:

• Countless cups of tea, shared meals, and late-night chats ☕

• Support that helps older people stay at home for years longer

• Companions gaining affordable accommodation and a sense of belonging

• Cultural exchange and connection between generations

Even through tough times — like the COVID-19 lockdowns and the grief of losing much-loved homeowners — homesharing has proven itself to be resilient, adaptable, and full of heart.

Looking Ahead: The Next 10 Years of Elder Home Share

As we celebrate this special anniversary, our mission remains clear:

• 🌱 Expand homesharing beyond Dublin into more counties across Ireland.

• 🛡️ Continue providing peace of mind through thorough vetting and support.

• 🏘️ Promote homesharing as a national solution to Ireland’s housing and ageing challenges.

A spare room is never just a spare room it can be a lifeline, a friendship, and a way of rethinking how we live together in Ireland.

💬 Join the Homesharing Movement

Elder Home Share has spent 10 years proving how Granny’s spare room can change lives — for older homeowners, companions, and entire communities.

👉 Have a spare room? Find a home share match👉 Looking for affordable accommodation? Apply to be a companion.📩