“My Parent Says No to Home Sharing — What Should I Do?”

If you’re looking for ways to support an older parent who is living alone in Dublin, bringing up the idea of someone new moving into their home can feel like a sensitive conversation.

Your parent may worry about privacy, independence or simply the idea of change. The best approach is often to introduce home sharing gently, give them plenty of information and allow them to feel involved in the decision.

After years of speaking with families about home sharing, I’ve found that the first conversation is often the hardest. It is very common for an older parent to be unsure about the idea initially. Giving them time, information and a real say in the process can make all the difference.

What is Home Share and How Does It Work?

Home sharing is an arrangement where an older homeowner shares their home with a carefully matched companion.

The companion provides company, a reassuring overnight presence and some light practical support around the home. In return, they benefit from affordable accommodation.

At Elder Home Share, we carefully match homeowners and companions, check references and provide ongoing support throughout the arrangement.

Home sharing is not a personal care or nursing service. It is designed for older people who want to continue living independently at home but would benefit from companionship and having another person around.

Step 1: Home Sharing for Elderly Parents

Before starting the conversation, think about what has prompted you to consider home sharing.

You might ask yourself:

• Is your parent feeling lonely or isolated?

• Do they feel uneasy being alone at night?

• Would they enjoy having someone around for conversation and company?

• Would having another person in the home give the family greater peace of mind?

• Does your parent want to remain living independently in their own home?

Having a clear idea of what you are hoping home sharing could provide will make the conversation easier.

When you do raise the subject, listen as much as you talk. Some parents may immediately like the idea. Others may need time to think about it.

Older parent and daughter discussing the idea of Elder Home Share over a relaxed conversation at home.

Step 2: Plant the Seed Gently

Try introducing the idea casually rather than presenting it as something that has already been decided.

You could say:

“I’ve been thinking about how nice it might be to have someone friendly living here who could provide some company and be around in the evenings. There’s a service called Elder Home Share that matches older people with carefully vetted companions. I wondered if it might be something we could look at together.”

Keep the first conversation short.

You do not need to explain everything at once. Sometimes simply introducing the idea and allowing your parent to think about it is enough.

Step 3: Talk Openly About Their Concerns

It is completely understandable for someone to have concerns about sharing their home.

Some common questions are around safety, privacy and whether they will still feel in control of their own home.

You can reassure them that:

• Safety is important — companions go through reference checks.

• They remain in control — your parent is involved in choosing the person they will share their home with.

• Privacy matters — boundaries and house rules are agreed from the beginning.

• The right match is important — personalities, routines and expectations all need to work well together.

• Support continues after the match — Elder Home Share remains involved throughout the arrangement.

It can also help to acknowledge how they feel.

You might simply say:

“I understand that having someone new in the house might feel strange at first. I just thought it could be worth exploring.”

You can also look through our companion profiles together to give your parent a better idea of the type of people who apply to become home-share companions.

View Companion Profiles

Step 4: Show Them Real Stories

Real experiences can make the idea of home sharing much easier to understand.

Rather than talking about home sharing in the abstract, show your parent stories from older homeowners and families who have already experienced it.

One family told us:

“Elder Home Share was recommended to us by a few people. It proved to be a complete game changer for us as a family. From the very first contact with Saoirse she acted in a friendly and professional manner. We matched quickly with Rosa, who became invaluable to our late mother. Our lives changed for the better because of Elder Home Share. We can highly recommend Elder Home Share and wish them the very best for the future. It is such a great idea for everybody involved.”— Grainne

Stories like this help parents see that home sharing is not simply about having a stranger move into the house. The right match can develop into a warm, reassuring and mutually beneficial relationship.

Step 5: Let Them Decide at Their Own Pace

Your parent may not make a decision after one conversation.

That is perfectly fine.

Give them space and revisit the subject another day. You might talk about it over coffee, look through companion profiles together or arrange an informal introduction with a potential companion.

Meeting someone often makes the idea feel much more real and much less daunting.

The important thing is that your parent feels that they have a genuine choice in the process.

Why Home Sharing Can Help Dublin Families

Many older people in Dublin want to stay living in the home and community they know.

At the same time, adult children may be working, raising families themselves or living some distance away.

Home sharing can offer an additional layer of companionship and reassurance without taking away an older person's independence.

For the right person, having a companion in the home can mean more conversation, a reassuring presence in the evenings and greater peace of mind for the whole family.

Would You Like to Talk It Through?

If you are considering home sharing for your parent but are not sure whether it would suit your family, you are very welcome to contact us.

At Elder Home Share, we can explain how the process works, answer your questions and help you decide whether home sharing could be a good fit.

There is no pressure to proceed. Sometimes the first step is simply having a conversation.

Read our Homeowner FAQs