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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Entrepreneurship => Topic started by: HipGnosis on May 21, 2017, 04:47:17 PM

Title: Get a mature roommate
Post by: HipGnosis on May 21, 2017, 04:47:17 PM
Not sure where to put this, but since side-gigs are here, I'm putting it here.

I came across a service that helps baby boomer empty nesters get a roommate - SilverNest
Snips from their press release ('15):
Safely and seamlessly establish homesharing arrangements.
Kind of like a longterm Airbnb mixed with Match.com for seniors.
It matches prospective roommates with people who have extra room in their house. Fill out a survey about your personality and your home, and their proprietary software will help match you with a suitable roommate. Once you’ve decided to move in with someone, the company will help you draw up a lease, run a background check, and even process payments. It’s a one-stop shop.

I have no affiliation with SilverNest.  Just sharing the info. I came across as a possible income source.
Title: Re: Get a mature roommate
Post by: Missy B on May 22, 2017, 12:03:30 PM
Thanks for this. I've been telling people we need exactly this kind of service, and that people who want to stay in their houses should think seriously about sharing space with someone like-minded, not just for the money, but for safety and company. Unfortunately, Craigslist is not the best  for this particular niche.
The site presents really well.
https://www.silvernest.com
Title: Re: Get a mature roommate
Post by: lexde on June 13, 2017, 04:17:24 PM
This really is an excellent idea. My grandmother is 86 and not able to take care of anything at home - and yet, she has absolutely refused to consider a nursing home or otherwise relinquishing her home. She has, on multiple occasions, told me that she would let someone live with her for free, but can't find anyone who is around her age (70+) that would accept her proposals. She doesn't necessarily need a caregiver, just someone who can take a full trash bag out. As is, someone visits her daily in a rotation, but it'd be nice for her to have more company. I'm going to take a look at this and see if I can find someone. Thank you!
Title: Re: Get a mature roommate
Post by: HipGnosis on June 14, 2017, 01:43:26 PM
This really is an excellent idea. My grandmother is 86 and not able to take care of anything at home - and yet, she has absolutely refused to consider a nursing home or otherwise relinquishing her home. She has, on multiple occasions, told me that she would let someone live with her for free, but can't find anyone who is around her age (70+) that would accept her proposals. She doesn't necessarily need a caregiver, just someone who can take a full trash bag out. As is, someone visits her daily in a rotation, but it'd be nice for her to have more company. I'm going to take a look at this and see if I can find someone. Thank you!
But... if your mom gets someone her age, won't that someone be relying on mom just as much as mom is relying on the someone?
Title: Re: Get a mature roommate
Post by: ChpBstrd on June 19, 2017, 09:12:42 PM
Yes, the ideal situation might be a young family living with an elderly adult.

The problem is, people get attached to their "things," including houses. By the time people get elderly, they often have a paid-off house full of the fruits of a lifetime of labor. The logical thing to do would be to sell the house, estate sell the contents, and be someone's roommate using an online service like silver nest. The reality is people cling to their stuff.

It's not just the elderly who cling to stuff. How many 20-30 somethings are OK being someone's roomie, owning virtually nothing of their own, etc?

People at both ends of the spectrum want lots of space and lots of stuff. This ends in poverty for the young, and broken hips for the old.
Title: Re: Get a mature roommate
Post by: joonifloofeefloo on June 19, 2017, 09:18:45 PM
Awesome!!! Trying to find out if this (or an equivalent) is available in Canada. It'd be pretty perfect for my teen and me. We're peaceful, quiet, very tidy, love doing jobbies... Kid would enjoy playing board games, etc. We have no furniture and extremely little in the way of possessions, can live anywhere... I have lots of experience with support and transfers, etc, but a "real job" won't let me bring my kid.
Title: Re: Get a mature roommate
Post by: lexde on July 03, 2017, 07:13:16 PM
This really is an excellent idea. My grandmother is 86 and not able to take care of anything at home - and yet, she has absolutely refused to consider a nursing home or otherwise relinquishing her home. She has, on multiple occasions, told me that she would let someone live with her for free, but can't find anyone who is around her age (70+) that would accept her proposals. She doesn't necessarily need a caregiver, just someone who can take a full trash bag out. As is, someone visits her daily in a rotation, but it'd be nice for her to have more company. I'm going to take a look at this and see if I can find someone. Thank you!
But... if your mom gets someone her age, won't that someone be relying on mom just as much as mom is relying on the someone?
I mean, I think living together is better than living alone, even if it's only to be able to call emergency services if needed (she has life alert etc.etc.). She wouldn't want to leave her home, and I think having a family move in with her might be too much. It's hard to balance out with a large age gap, because a young adult may steal, or take advantage, because she isn't very mindful and leaves her finances/bills/checks out. She refuses to leave the home, she has the home paid off, so it would be one single person moving in with her, and I think two older ladies would get along just fine together. It's not really about finding a caregiver as it is finding company.
Title: Re: Get a mature roommate
Post by: Lepetitange3 on July 18, 2017, 01:02:20 PM
People do this in europe through a similar service.  I have an older cousin in France who was matched with a university student and they just have a splendid time.