Caring is sharing

Karen Neville

Cathy Hartshorne, who lives in Summertown, shares what a difference Age UK Oxfordshire’s Homeshare service made to her & her elderly mum

In Oxfordshire and around the country there’s a fabulous scheme that provides older people with companionship and enables them to stay in their own homes.

I discovered Homeshare when I was looking for something for my mum, who was lonely after my dad died. Although aged 90 she was still living at home, she was frail and I worried about her. After she had a couple of falls and lost confidence, I could see that for my mum, myself and my siblings, there would be peace of mind if she had more support.

She had carers four times a day but was on her own at night and often had few people to talk to through the day. We needed someone she could share meals with, who could help her do shopping or pick up her medications or, even tidy up her patio garden from time to time. 

An affordable home

I found Age UK Oxfordshire’s Homeshare service which matches potential sharers with older people who would like some company and help in the house. The sharers may be a post-graduate student, key workers or other professionals who are looking for affordable accommodation. The householder pays £150 per month to Age UK Oxfordshire to set up and manage the arrangement on an ongoing basis. For this, the incoming sharer, or companion, provides about 10 hours a week to the householder, a combination of companionship and practical support. The sharer also pays a fee to Age UK Oxfordshire as well as helping the householder with bills. 

I now volunteer with Age UK Oxfordshire’s Homeshare service, advocating for their work and helping to get the message out to people who may benefit. The service is managed with integrity and respect and I’ve been impressed with the co-ordination of the matching process. 

Support both ways

I’ve learnt the sharing partnership can take all shapes and sizes. In one case an 83-year-old companion was sharing with an 87-year-old householder. They became firm friends. In another case two sharers live in the house, taking turns to help the homeowner. A more typical Homeshare match might be a younger postgraduate student sharing the house with an older person. Some householders are at the more frail end of the spectrum, others are definitely not: their motivation for homesharing is as much wanting to support someone who needs affordable accommodation as it is company or support for themselves. The sharer is not there to provide personal care. However, in instances where personal care is needed, a Homeshare arrangement can sit very well alongside carer visits. 

Peace of mind

For us as a family, knowing someone is there overnight and can help with little things mum needs is a great relief. My mum’s sharer has been with her for a year and this meant I could go on holiday without worrying. The friendship between my mum and her companion continues to grow and I’m determined to promote Homeshare Oxfordshire.