Loneliness among older adults in the UK continues to grow, having profound implications for both mental and physical health. In a society that is aging, addressing this silent epidemic is more important than ever.

This blog explores the causes of loneliness among the elderly, the importance of companionship, and how organisations such as Two Generations can help bridge the gap.

The Reality of Loneliness Among the Elderly in the UK

Over 2 million people in England aged 75 and above live alone. More shockingly, over 1 million older adults have reported going more than a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour, or family member (NHS, 2025). This lack of social interaction not only fosters emotional distress but also contributes to a multitude of physical and mental difficulties.

What Causes Loneliness in the Elderly?

There are a wide variety of factors that can contribute to loneliness in older adults, including:

• Loss of Social Opportunities: Retirement or the death of a spouse or friends often leads to fewer daily interactions.
• Health Challenges: Older individuals can struggle with health challenges that limit mobility and confidence, making it harder to leave their homes to socialise.
• Living Alone: Many older adults live independently, with few visitors or interactions.
• Geographical Separation: Regular contact with family can be a great way to reduce loneliness, however, increased distance to family can make it difficult to stay in touch regularly.

Why is Companionship Crucial for the Elderly?

Studies show that older adults with strong social connections are more likely to engage in healthy behaviours, such as regular exercise and balanced diets, improving their overall quality of life. 

Additionally, companionship can help the elderly improve:

• Mental Wellbeing: Regular interactions help ward off depression and anxiety, which are common outcomes of prolonged loneliness.
• Physical Health: Engaging with others has been linked to improved cardiovascular health, reduced inflammation, and enhanced immunity.
• Sense of Purpose: Companionship fosters feelings of belonging and self-worth, vital for maintaining a positive outlook on life.

Homesharing: A Great Solution to Elderly Loneliness

What is Homesharing?

Homesharing is a scheme that carefully pairs a Householder (an older person with a spare room) with a vetted Sharer who provides live-in companionship and light support in exchange for affordable accommodation.

TwoGenerations, offers this service to its users, both for individuals and corporate organisations looking to help their employees decrease care pressures.

How It Works

Homesharing is a simple yet impactful concept:

• For Householders: It offers independence, companionship, and peace of mind.
• For Families: It reduces caregiving stress and provides reassurance about their loved one’s well-being.
• For Sharers: It provides affordable housing with purpose and companionship.

Loneliness among the elderly is a growing issue, but together, we can make a difference. Discover how TwoGenerations’ homesharing programme can transform lives by fostering meaningful connections. Learn more and get involved today!

The UK’s population is aging rapidly. In 2022, approximately 12.7 million people were aged 65 or over, making up 19% of the population. By 2072, this number is predicted to rise by 27% of the population, around 22.1 million people.

As this shift in the population occurs families are facing the growing challenges of providing care and support for their older relatives. However, traditional care options, such as care homes or live-in carers can be costly, inflexible, and can take an emotional and financial toll on both the older generation and their loved ones.

Homeshare’s are becoming a popular alternative, offering a more cost effective, flexible solution that enables older adults to keep their independence, as well as improve their well being. 

The Growing Challenge of Elderly Care in the UK

By 2025, more employees will be caring for an elderly relative than for a child. With approximately 15.6 million adults in the UK aged between 40-60, the burden of caregiving is becoming increasingly evident:

• 6 million people worry about how to support their aging parents
• 5 million struggle financially and with balancing work responsibilities alongside caregiving
• 600 people leave work daily to care for an elderly relative, costing UK employers approximately £4.8 billion annually in lost productivity and absenteeism.

With the rising financial and emotional strain on families, organisations such as TwoGens provide a practical solution that keeps elderly individuals in their own homes for longer while fostering meaningful companionship through the introduction of a homeshare.

What Is a Homeshare?

A Homeshare is a unique concept that brings together two generations to create a mutually beneficial living arrangement:

• The Householder – An older adult with a spare room who wants companionship and support.
• The Homesharer – A carefully vetted individual who provides approximately 10 hours of assistance per week in exchange for affordable accommodation.

Unlike live-in carers, Homesharers do not provide personal or medical care. Instead, they help with everyday tasks such as cooking, cleaning, IT support, and general companionship.

Comparing Homeshare to Traditional Care Options

For just £5.50 per day, Homeshare offers a highly affordable solution, providing companionship and assistance while allowing older individuals to remain in familiar surroundings.

The Benefits of Homeshare for Families and Employers

• For Families:
  • Provides peace of mind knowing their loved one has support and companionship.
  • Reduces the financial strain associated with full-time carers or residential care.
  • Offers a flexible solution tailored to individual needs.
• For Employers:
  • Helps employees balance work and caregiving, reducing stress and absenteeism.
  • Supports diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives by acknowledging caregiving responsibilities.
  • Enhances employee retention and satisfaction, leading to increased productivity.

How Homeshare Works

The process is simple and designed with safety and suitability in mind:

1. Initial Inquiry – Families or Householders reach out to understand if a Homeshare setup would be right for them.
2. Matching Process – We carefully vet and select a suitable Homesharer.
3. Interviews & Safeguarding Checks – Both parties meet, with DBS checks and references conducted.
4. Trial Period – A one-month trial period is introduced in order to ensure that both parties are happy with the parnership.
5. Ongoing Support – Continuous monitoring and assistance from our team to ensure a smooth Homeshare experience.

A Future-Proof Solution for Elderly Care

As the UK faces an increasing demand for elderly care, solutions like Homeshare are paving the way for a more sustainable, person-centered approach, that are available at much lower costs. 

For any enquires regarding our services please get in touch.

Balancing work and caregiving is no easy task. The new Carer’s Leave Act introduced in April, 2024, provided some much-needed relief, offering employees more support and flexibility to fulfill their caregiving duties.

Here’s a closer look at what the Carer’s Leave Act entails, how it supports employees, and what steps employers need to take to meet these new obligations.

What is the Carer’s Leave Act?

The Carer’s Leave Act, effective from April 6th, 2024, requires UK employers to provide up to one week of unpaid leave per year for employees caring for a dependent with long-term care needs.

This leave is designed to be flexible: employees can take it in separate blocks rather than all at once, allowing them to respond to caregiving needs as and when they arise.

Who Qualifies for Carer’s Leave?

To qualify for Carer’s Leave, employees must meet specific criteria:

• They must be full-time or part-time employees (contractors are not eligible).
• They must be caring for someone with long-term care needs, such as:
  • A spouse, civil partner, child, or parent.
  • Someone living with them (not tenants or boarders).
  • Someone who reasonably relies on the employee for care.

A dependent’s long-term care needs could include:

• A physical or mental condition requiring care for more than three months
• A disability as defined under the Equality Act 2010.
• Care needs related to old age.

Key Benefits for Employees

The Carer’s Leave Act brings several key advantages for employees:

• Dedicated Leave for Caregiving:
  For the first time, caregivers have access to specific time set aside for their responsibilities, without needing to use annual leave or sick days.
• Flexible Scheduling:
  Employees can take the leave in separate blocks, making it easier to manage caregiving duties without neglecting work commitments.
• Recognition of Caregivers:
  By introducing this law, the UK has started to recognise the importance of caregiving, helping build understanding and better workplace environments.

While the Carer’s Leave Act sets a minimum standard, employers who go above and beyond can create a more inclusive and supportive workplace.

• Provide Paid Leave: Offering paid caregiving leave shows a genuine commitment to employee well-being and fosters loyalty.
• Foster Open Conversations: Encourage discussions about caregiving responsibilities to build a culture of empathy and understanding.
• Enhance Support Programs: Consider providing access to counseling, caregiving resources, or employee assistance programs to further ease the burden on caregivers.

What This Means for Employers

For employers, the Carer’s Leave Act introduces important new obligations and an opportunity to improve workplace culture.

1. Statutory Requirement:
   Employers are now legally required to provide up to one week of unpaid leave per year for eligible employees.
2. Policy Updates:
   HR teams should review and update employee handbooks, ensuring all staff understand their rights and the process for applying for Carer’s Leave.
3. Managing Requests:
   Employers cannot refuse requests outright but may postpone leave if its timing would cause significant disruption. In such cases, they must notify the employee within seven days and propose alternative dates within a month.

A Step Forward

The Carer’s Leave Act is a milestone for employees and employers alike. It acknowledges the challenges caregivers face and lays the groundwork for a more supportive workplace. By preparing early and considering additional benefits, employers can attract and retain top talent while fostering a culture of compassion and inclusivity.

At Two Generations, we’re passionate about supporting caregivers. Through our Homeshare service, we help older adults live independently while connecting younger individuals with affordable housing opportunities. Together, we create connected communities that support every generation.

Want to learn how we can help your workplace support caregivers? Get in touch to explore new ways to improve employee well-being.