Match in the Neighborhood —Michael and Sam
He applied for a Home Share Match, and found the perfect fit– Sam, 60, whose landlord decided to sell the home he was renting. He had been living alone for a while and liked the idea of sharing a home where he cared about the person he was living with. So, he, too, applied. Michael’s home was just around the corner from where Sam was living and they discovered they knew many of the same people, having lived and worked in the area for decades.
Oddly enough, Sam’s son used to hang out at Michael’s house growing up, and Sam recently worked with Michael’s son. Talk about Kizmat! They were raised a similar way, having fathers who fought in WWII. And the two are homebodies who embrace the simple pleasures in life. It really is a perfect fit.
Michael knowing someone is sharing his home while Sam’s favorite part is just spending time with Michael and the two dogs. They’ll watch TV together or sometimes one of Michael’s friends comes over and they’ll all eat pizza and watch Beatles movies.
On gloomy winter days, Sam likes to listen to Michael play his guitar. Michael’s open-door policy at his home and Sam’s various jobs and contacts made it easy for them to share space and blend together to form a home. It never even occurred to Michael that having someone new move in could be an adjustment. “It’s just been so normal,” Michael said. “Sam is like a brother. It was like a rebirth of the family.”
A Voice in the Family —
Sarah and Sharon
When Sharon, a school teacher in Florida was widowed in 2000 she moved to Vermont to be near her son. Unfortunately, she developed laryngeal cancer, requiring a laryngectomy and so she can no longer express herself verbally and relies on writing to communicate.
She moved into the lower level of a duplex her son owned, below her son, his wife and their 2-year-old twins. Although they were close and glad to help, Sharon didn’t want to burden her son and his wife who were busy with family and jobs. She decided to try to find a Home Sharing Match, looking for someone who could be her companion and help her schedule appointments and return phone calls, etc.
Meanwhile, Sarah, 30 was living with her mom and commuting 42 miles one way to work each day. She was looking for housing closer to her job. She hoped to live with a mature person who “didn’t party”. The idea of living with someone older was also appealing, as had worked with seniors and enjoyed getting to know them.
Sharon’s house was two blocks from where Sarah works and a match was made. She no longer depends on her family to “be her voice” as Sarah schedules Sharon’s appointments and helps Sharon communicate with nurses and doctors. “It helps my family because they don’t worry about me with Sarah here,” Sharon explained. In addition, they enjoy each other’s company and spend time together, watching cooking shows, playing Scrabble, going to the library, enjoying an ice cream cone and attending concerts and dance performances.
Meanwhile Sarah has achieved her goal of living affordably in Burlington and eliminated a long commute to work. As for Sharon’s family, her daughter-in-law wrote “I couldn’t be more pleased with this HomeShare. Sarah has quickly become part of our family! Her sharing a home with Sharon is a win win for everyone involved!”
Peace of Mind for Out Of Town Family — Rita and Lucas
Rita, a 73-year-fiercly independent retired judge, had managed on her own, despite a progressive disease like multiple sclerosis for the past 45 years
Household tasks were taking her longer, but she wasn’t interested in moving to assisted living. Her two out of state children no longer felt comfortable with her living alone. Rita thought home sharing was a good idea but wasn’t able to find housemates that fit on her own.
So she applied for Home Share and got even more than she hoped for when she met Lucas over a year ago. She was paired with a “nice, uncomplicated jock who was tidy and could cook,” and handles the physical chores she struggles with.
Lucas, 23, moved from out of state to start a doctoral program and wanted to live someplace quiet where he could focus on his studies and save on rent by helping someone at home. Lucas, who said he’ll save over $20,000 in housing costs during his two years of grad school, lives rent free at Rita’s in exchange for providing approximately 8-10 hours a week of miscellaneous tasks – anything from going to the store or bringing Rita to appointments, to housekeeping or walking Jack the dog on the weekends. He also makes Rita a salad almost every night and Rita is now eating a keto diet thanks to Lucas.
Rita is respectful of his study time, and she saves her “Lucas list” for the weekends. Her balance and strength continue to deteriorate but “Lucas being around allows me to manage. I’ve finally got this place decorated the way I want. I have no desire to leave,” Rita said with a smile.
They say the match works because both are introverts and are fine with co-existing in cheerful silence although there are times when they enjoy long discussions on a wide variety of topics.
With this experience, Rita thinks any retired person with an extra room should imagine how fun it would be to have someone living with them to help around the house, whom they wouldn’t have met otherwise. “It’s like having an adult grandson living with me, and it’s worked out beautifully,” Rita said. And happily, both her children approve, too.
Partners in LSS Home Matching Service*
Eden Prairie Housing Alliance 