Discovering Homeshare can feel like a eureka moment. The idea that an older loved one could have a friendly, reliable person living under the same roof offers them independence and gives you peace of mind.

However, it is only natural that the very next question you’ll ask yourself is: “How do I know it’s safe?”

Welcoming someone new into a home is a big step. At Two Generations, trust and safety are the foundation of everything we do. From initial interviews to ongoing check-ins, our safeguarding structure is designed to protect both our Householders and Homesharers at every single stage.

Here is a look behind the scenes at how we vet, match and safeguard every Homeshare arrangement.

Step 1: Vetting before anyone meets

Before a prospective Homesharer is ever introduced to an older householder, they go through a thorough, multi-stage screening process:

• Detailed applications & screening Interviews: We conduct telephone and video interviews to explore an applicant’s background, daily routines and motivations for wanting to homeshare.
• Enhanced DBS checks: Every single Homesharer undergoes an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. 
• Professional & personal references: We collect and verify professional and personal references to assess reliability, integrity and suitability.
• Identity verification: Official identity and right-to-reside checks are completed before any candidate progresses.

And the vetting works both ways. We also conduct structured assessments with the Householder (and their family) to ensure their home environment is safe and suitable, and that Homeshare is the right fit for their needs.

Step 2: Thoughtful, personality-led matching

Homeshare works best when it feels like a natural human connection, not an administrative transaction. Matching isn’t about rushing to fill a room; it’s about finding two people whose lifestyles, values and routines work well together.

During the assessment process, we look closely at:

• Lifestyle & routines: Do wake-up times, work hours and evening habits align?
• Shared interests: Do they share a love of gardening, pets, cooking or watching sport?
• Clear support needs: We define what light help is needed (e.g., tech support, sharing meals, or lifts to the shops) and ensure the Homesharer is comfortable with those tasks. (Note: Homesharing does not include personal or medical care).

Once we identify a potential match, we set up initial meetings. Householders and their families have several opportunities to chat and get to know the potential sharer before making any commitment. If it doesn’t feel right, we keep searching.

Step 3: Clear boundaries and frameworks

Ambiguity creates tension, which is why a written agreement backs every successful match before anyone moves in:

• The Homeshare Agreement: A comprehensive, written agreement setting out clear expectations. It outlines agreed hours of help, house rules, guest policies, quiet hours and privacy boundaries.
• Not a tenancy: Homeshare is a supported living arrangement, not a traditional tenancy. This makes expectations around support clear and keeps the arrangement simple for both parties.

Step 4: Ongoing safeguarding and dedicated support

We keep in touch. Our monthly fee covers continuous monitoring and management of the arrangement:

• Settling-in period: We actively monitor the first few weeks with structured check-ins for both the Householder and the Homesharer to make sure everyone is comfortable.
• Named contact & regular reviews: Both parties have a dedicated contact at Two Generations. We are in regular contact to address small queries before they can become bigger issues.
• Mediation & resolution: If a misunderstanding occurs, our team steps in to mediate impartially.
• Notice periods & exit plans: If an arrangement isn’t working out or circumstances change, we manage a safe, structured ending to the match with clear notice periods.

Company and reassurance

For families worrying about an older relative living alone, Homeshare brings reassurance. A vetted, friendly person in the house will notice if their Householder seems unwell, is struggling with routines, or is at risk of becoming isolated.

At Two Generations, we combine robust security measures with human care to ensure Homesharing remains a safe, enriching experience for everyone involved.

Two distinct challenges face the UK (and beyond): affordable accommodation for the younger generation and increasing isolation of older adults. 

Homesharing brings these two groups together across the UK. By matching an older person with space to spare and a younger person in need of affordable accommodation, Homesharing transforms an extra bedroom into an opportunity for support and companionship. It is a simple, practical arrangement where both sides get what they need.

How Homeshare works

Homesharing is built on reciprocity rather than commercial tenancy. Instead of paying market-rate rent, a Homesharer provides around 10 hours of companionship and light help around the house each week in exchange for accommodation.

The Householder, an older person living independently, gains regular company, help with some everyday tasks and the reassurance of having someone in the house overnight. In return, the Homesharer lives in a comfortable home, allowing them to save money and focus on their studies or career. Often in an area they cannot otherwise afford. 

Homesharers do not provide any personal or medical care; instead, they offer everyday support around the home.

The benefits for Householders

For older adults, remaining independent in their home is often a top priority. However, as routines change and family members lead busy lives, maintaining a household alone can become demanding.

Homesharing supports householders in several ways:

• Regular companionship: Having someone to share an evening meal with, chat about the day’s news or watch a television programme helps keep social isolation at bay.
• Light household support: Homesharers help with tasks that can become cumbersome, such as taking out the bins, carrying heavy shopping bags, feeding pets or assisting with basic technology setups.
• Overnight reassurance: Knowing a trusted person is asleep in the next bedroom provides peace of mind, especially for householders who feel vulnerable living alone.
• Maintaining independence: Light assistance at home helps householders stay in their familiar surroundings for longer without needing to consider more costly and disruptive care options.

The benefits for Homesharers

For many younger adults, rent in major towns and cities will be a large portion of their monthly income. Homeshare offers an affordable alternative.

• Affordable accommodation: Homesharers pay a low fixed monthly fee to Two Generations rather than traditional rent, enabling them to save towards a deposit or reduce their financial strain.
• A home environment: Rather than living in a cramped flatshare, homesharers enjoy a comfortable, quiet, fully furnished home with proper living space.
• Meaningful community impact: Many homesharers value the opportunity to make a positive difference in their local community, building rewarding intergenerational friendships along the way.

Light help in practice

The 10 hours of weekly support are flexible and tailored to suit both people. Typical activities include:

• Sharing home-cooked meals
• Accompanying the householder on local walks or errands
• Helping with online shopping or administrative tasks
• Light tidying around communal spaces
• Being a reassuring presence in the home during evenings and overnight

Creating successful intergenerational matches

A successful Homeshare relies on alignment in personality, daily habits and expectations. At Two Generations, we oversee the entire process to ensure both parties feel comfortable and supported from day one:

1. Vetting and background checks: Every applicant undergoes comprehensive vetting, including Enhanced DBS background checks, identity checks and reference verification. We also assess the householder’s home to ensure it is suitable and safe.
2. Careful matching: We look carefully at work schedules, hobbies, interests and lifestyle habits. Before any commitment, potential matches meet several times to chat, get to know each other, and decide if the fit feels right.
3. Clear agreements & ongoing guidance: Every match is backed by a homeshare agreement detailing agreed house rules, quiet hours and helper tasks. Two Generations stays in regular contact with both parties throughout the match to offer ongoing support and check-ins.

Bridging the gap between generations

Homeshare turns spare rooms into a practical answer to rising living costs and social disconnection. When an older householder and a homesharer join under one roof, both benefit from a more connected way of living.

We’re supposed to be more connected than ever, yet a quiet epidemic is unfolding across the UK. For many older adults, later life brings a shrinking social circle that has profound consequences for their happiness and health.

While loneliness is the emotional ache we feel when we lack company, social isolation is the objective state of having few social contacts. And it doesn’t just affect the mind; it profoundly impacts our health.

In the UK, over 2 million people aged 75 and over live alone. While many enjoy their independence, there’s a fine line between living solo and becoming socially isolated. At Two Generations, we see daily how the transition from coping to struggling happens in the quiet spaces of a lonely home.

For families, GPs, and social workers, understanding the physiological and psychological impact of isolation is the first step toward finding a sustainable solution.

The physicality of loneliness

It’s easy to view isolation as a purely emotional issue, but research suggests otherwise. Social isolation is now recognised as a major public health risk, comparable to well-known lifestyle factors.

• Cardiovascular strain: Research, including data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), indicates that social isolation is associated with a significantly increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Without regular, meaningful interaction, the body remains in a heightened state of hyper-vigilance, increasing cortisol levels and causing persistent inflammation. 
• Cognitive decline and dementia: A study published by The Lancet Commission on Dementia identified social isolation as a key modifiable risk factor for the condition. The mental agility required to navigate a conversation – to interpret tone, remember context and formulate a response – acts as a protective buffer against cognitive decay.
• Increased mortality: The statistics are stark: prolonged isolation is widely cited as being as detrimental to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It’s more predictive of early death than physical inactivity or obesity. This death by a thousand silences occurs because no one is present to notice the subtle signs of declining health or to encourage healthy habits.

The quiet signs

In the UK, the cultural value placed on “not being a bother” often masks isolation. Many older people take pride in their independence, yet this same self-sufficiency can lead to withdrawal. For professionals and families, the signs of isolation are not always obvious. We look for a crisis like a fall, but the early indicators are often more subtle:

• A kitchen that is no longer used for cooking.
• The “revolving door” of minor medical complaints that mask a need for contact.
• A gradual decline in personal grooming or the maintenance of a home.
• Unopened mail or neglected gardens.
• Passing up invitations they used to enjoy.

Addressing the hidden impact of isolation requires a shift from viewing it as a personal misfortune to recognising it as a public health priority. Solutions often involve moving beyond simple check-ins toward meaningful relationships.

Homeshare is one practical solution

Traditional care isn’t always the answer, especially when an older adult is still physically capable but becoming vulnerable due to isolation. This is where the Homeshare model provides a bridge.

For Families: Peace of mind

Homeshare matches an older person (the Householder) with a younger person (the Homesharer). The younger person provides 10 hours of help a week – cooking, light cleaning, or tech support – but more importantly, they provide overnight presence and companionship.

For GPs & social prescribers: A non-clinical intervention

By referring patients to a Homeshare scheme, GPs can address the root cause of frequent appointments. Unlike live-in care, Homeshare is based on mutual benefit and companionship, which preserves the Householder’s dignity and independence.

Moving beyond “I’m fine”

In the UK, the “stiff upper lip” often prevents older adults from asking for help. They don’t want to be a burden to their children or their doctor.

We must shift the conversation from care to connection. Companionship isn’t a luxury; it’s a clinical necessity. Whether it’s through local community groups or a Homeshare match, ensuring our older generation remains seen, heard and supported is the most effective medicine we have.

How to Refer

If you are a professional or a family member concerned about an older adult living alone, you can learn more about how we can work with you at Two Generations. Together, we can turn a quiet house back into a shared home.

“I’m fine, just keeping quiet,” is a phrase many of us hear regularly during weekly phone calls. But loneliness and social isolation have a habit of creeping in softly. An older adult rarely announces that they are lonely; instead, they slowly adapt to a shrinking world.

Isolation isn’t just an empty calendar,  it can be a subtle change in routine, a messy kitchen, or a phone call that ends just a little too quickly. At Two Generations, we see firsthand how life-changing companionship can be. However, before families can step in to help, they first need to recognise the hidden signs that a loved one is becoming isolated.

Here is what to look out for and how to navigate these delicate conversations sensitively.

Spotting the quiet shift toward isolation

1. Changes in routine and unopened mail

One of the earliest signs of isolation is a disruption in long-held habits. If your loved one used to take pride in a tidy garden or walking down to the local paper shop every morning, notice if those activities have stopped.

When you visit, take a quick glance around. Is there a pile of unopened mail on the side? Are the curtains staying drawn later into the day? A home that suddenly feels neglected often reflects an owner who is starting to feel disconnected from the world outside their front door.

2. Neglecting personal care and the home

When we don’t expect to see anyone, the motivation to keep up with daily tasks can slip away.

• Appetite and food: Check the fridge. Are there expired items, or is it remarkably empty? Cooking a full meal can feel pointless when you are eating alone every day. You might notice subtle weight loss or a reliance on tea and toast.
• Appearance: Notice if they are wearing the same clothes across multiple days, or if their personal hygiene seems to be slipping. It is rarely a sign of laziness; rather, it is often a symptom of low mood brought on by spending too much time alone.

3. The “Over-Communicator” or the “Ghost”

Pay close attention to how your loved one behaves on the phone or during visits. Isolation typically pushes communication to one of two extremes:

• The Over-Communicator: When you do call, they might talk rapidly, struggle to let the conversation end, or repeat the same stories multiple times. This happens because you might be the only person they have spoken to in days, and they are trying to stretch out the interaction.
• The Ghost: Alternatively, they may become withdrawn. If they cut calls short, stop answering the phone, or make excuses to avoid family gatherings (“It’s too much fuss,” or “I’m too tired”), they may be retreating into their isolation.

4. Significant life or health changes

Isolation rarely happens in a vacuum; a specific event usually triggers it. Families should be on high alert following:

• Bereavement: Losing a spouse, a close lifelong friend, or a cherished pet can instantly shatter an older person’s daily social framework.
• Giving up driving: Losing a driving licence is a massive blow to independence. Suddenly, a trip to the supermarket or a coffee morning requires planning, public transport, or asking for favours, things many older adults avoid out of a desire not to be a “burden.”
• Hearing loss or mobility issues: Struggling to hear makes noisy social environments exhausting and embarrassing. If your loved one is constantly asking people to repeat themselves, they may choose to stay home simply because it is easier than trying to follow a conversation.

How families can open the conversation

If you notice these signs, bringing up loneliness with an older relative can feel intrusive. Many older adults prize independence and privacy, so a direct question like “Are you lonely?” can often cause them to shut down or insist they are completely fine.

Here are a few strategies to help you navigate this tricky conversation with sensitivity.

1. The “side-by-side” approach

Direct, eye-to-eye conversations across a kitchen table can sometimes feel like an interrogation. Instead, try raising the topic while you are both engaged in a shared task where your eyes are focused elsewhere.

• Good moments: Driving in the car, doing the washing up together, or going for a walk.
• Why it works: It lowers the emotional intensity and allows for natural pauses. If they feel uncomfortable, neither of you is trapped under a direct gaze.

2. Shift the focus to an external trigger

Instead of putting the spotlight on them right away, use a neutral subject to start the conversation. This removes any sense of personal failure or vulnerability on their part.

For example, you could talk about recent changes in their local area, or what local friends have been up to. This allows them to comment on the neighbourhood rather than admitting to their own personal isolation. Their answers will often give you a clue as to how they are really feeling.

3. Ask about specifics, not generalities

When we ask “How are you?”, the default reflex is “I’m fine.” To get a true picture, ask specific questions about their daily interactions without making them feel cross-examined.

• Instead of: “Have you seen anyone this week?”
• Try: “How was the local shop when you went down on Tuesday? Was it busy?”
• Instead of: “Are you eating properly?”
• Try: “What did you make yourself for dinner last night? Any good suggestions?”

4. Frame their socialising as a favour to you

Older adults often worry about becoming a burden to their families. You can flip this dynamic by framing a social activity as something that would help you out or give you peace of mind.

Rather than suggesting they join a local club to get out of the house, you could mention how much better you would feel knowing they were enjoying a local club while you are stuck at work.

Validate, don’t try to fix immediately

If they do open up and admit that the days feel long or that they miss having company, resist the urge to jump in with an immediate list of solutions.

First validate their feelings: “I can see why you feel that way; it must be really quiet around here during the week.” Once they feel heard and understood, they will be much more open to exploring gentle options – like looking into community transport, local clubs, or chatting about how a homeshare program works.

How Homesharing helps

For many families, busy schedules and distance mean it is simply not possible to be there as often as you want. This is where Two Generations can make a profound difference.

Our Homesharing programme matches older householders who have a spare room with a carefully vetted, friendly homesharer. In exchange for affordable accommodation, the homesharer provides 10 hours of companionship and light help around the house each week, whether that’s sharing an evening meal, helping with a bit of tech setup, or simply being a reassuring presence in the home at night.

It perfectly bridges the gap between total independence and formal care, ensuring your loved one always has someone to talk to, laugh with, and look out for them.

Loneliness doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of growing older. By spotting the signs early and approaching the conversation with care, we can help our loved ones stay connected, valued, and safe in the homes they love. Contact us to day to find out more 

On 14 July 2026, the Government published its first-ever cross-departmental strategy for unpaid carers: the Unpaid Carers Action Plan, titled Recognise, Refer, Reach. It’s backed jointly by the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Business and Trade, the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions, and sets out 42 actions to identify unpaid carers earlier, connect them to support, and help them stay in work, education and good health.

Nearly 1 in 10 people in England is an unpaid carer. Most of them are balancing that role alongside a job or a family, often quietly and often at real personal cost.

At Two Generations, we’ve spent years working at exactly this intersection, where caring responsibilities meet everyday life, housing and work. Here’s what the plan means in practice for employers, and for the community organisations who work alongside carers every day.

What it means for employers

Buried in the detail is a change every HR and wellbeing leader should know about now: employers with 250 or more staff will be required to improve their support for unpaid carers from Spring 2027.

Government hasn’t yet published the full specification of what “improved support” will look like. That detail is still to come, and is likely to be shaped by the ongoing consultation on carer’s leave and a proposed right to return to work after a period of intensive caring. What’s already clear is the timeline, and that businesses of this size will need to show they’ve done something about it.

This isn’t only a compliance issue for employers. Many people already in your workforce are managing a second, unpaid job on top of their paid one. The plan itself acknowledges what that costs carers: their health suffers, they become isolated, and their careers quietly stall under the weight of caring duties. Left unaddressed, that tends to surface later as unexplained absence or people simply drifting out of the business.

Practical, human support tends to matter more here than another policy document. Two Generations’ Homeshare model matches older people who have a spare room with someone who needs an affordable place to live and can offer some companionship or informal support in return. For an employee caring for an elderly relative, that can translate into real relief day to day, not just leave to cover a crisis but an actual change to how much caring falls on them alone, which is often what allows them to stay in work at all.

This isn’t new territory for us. Homeshare is already available through employee benefit platforms including Perkbox and Heka, giving companies a route to offer it without needing a new supplier relationship, and we work directly with organisations including a pharmaceutical multinational to deliver it as a named benefit. If your organisation already offers benefits through providers like these, adding Homeshare to the mix is often simpler than starting from scratch.

Spring 2027 is still some way off, but the employers who start thinking about this now will have a genuine offer in place by then, rather than a rushed policy written at the last minute. We’d welcome that conversation whenever you’re ready to have it.

What it means for community partners

The plan is structured around three pillars: recognise, refer and reach. Referral sits at the centre of it, because recognising a carer achieves very little if there’s nowhere to send them next.

Two details in the plan will matter most to GPs, local authorities, discharge teams and charities working with carers. Carers are set to become central to hospital discharge planning under reforms to the Better Care Fund, recognising that discharge too often happens today without the carer being properly involved or prepared. And the plan names something we hear about constantly in our own work: carers dealing with loneliness and isolation, often while caring for someone who is isolated too.

That’s the space Homeshare sits in. By matching an older person with spare space in their home to someone who needs affordable housing and can offer company or support in return, we’re able to ease isolation for both people involved, and often take some pressure off a family carer who can’t be there every day.

This isn’t a new ambition for us, we have a UK-wide network of partners across the public, private and third sectors. We partner with Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent, Age UK Norfolk, Age UK Enfield and Age UK Herts on Homeshare specifically. On the local authority side, we support referral pathways with councils including Waltham Forest, Harrow and the Isle of Wight, and work with GPs, primary care networks and social care teams. We’re also listed on EMIS, so GPs in London Boroughs can refer patients to us directly through the system they already use every day, rather than needing a separate process. If your organisation already refers into services like these, plugging Homeshare into that pathway is usually a short conversation rather than a new relationship to build from nothing.

Government is now trying to build out proper referral pathways for carers, through GPs, discharge teams, local authorities and the voluntary sector. We’d like to be part of that pathway. If you work with people who are caring, isolated, or both, we’d welcome a conversation about how Homeshare could sit alongside the support you already provide.

Get in touch

Whether you’re an employer preparing for the changes coming in Spring 2027, or a community organisation looking for practical referral options for the carers and older people you support, we’d like to talk to find out more about Homeshare.

Two Generations is pleased to be working with Age UK Hertfordshire to make Homeshare available to more older people and families across the county.

Homeshare brings together an older person who has a spare room with a carefully vetted Homesharer who is looking for affordable accommodation. In return, the Homesharer offers companionship, an overnight presence and agreed light practical support around the home.

For many people living alone, a weekly visit or phone call can make a real difference. But some people need something more regular: someone in the home, someone to share everyday moments with, and the reassurance of knowing they are not on their own overnight.

That is where Homeshare can help. It is not a care service, and it does not replace care. Instead, it can sit alongside existing support, helping older people feel more connected, more confident and better able to remain independent at home.

Every Homeshare is carefully managed by Two Generations, from checks, introductions and matching through to written agreements, safeguarding and ongoing support.

Age UK Hertfordshire already supports older residents through a wide range of services, including companionship and wellbeing support. Homeshare offers another option for people who may benefit from more regular company and practical reassurance at home.

Mark, CEO of Age UK Hertfordshire, said:

“We know how much difference regular contact and support can make to an older person living alone, which is why companionship services are so important to us. Homeshare offers something complementary: a way for people to share their home and daily life with someone else, rather than simply being visited.

“We’re pleased to support Two Generations with the launch of the scheme here in Hertfordshire, and we hope it gives local residents another meaningful option for staying connected and independent.”

Lisa Goldsobel, Head of Operations at Two Generations, said:

“For older people and their families, choosing Homeshare is a big decision, so trust is central to everything we do.

“Every arrangement is carefully managed by Two Generations, from suitability checks through to thoughtful matching, safeguarding and ongoing support.

“Homeshare can help older people feel less alone and more confident at home, while offering Homesharers affordable accommodation and the chance to make a meaningful difference. Families also benefit from the peace of mind that their loved ones are being supported.

“We’re grateful for Age UK Hertfordshire’s support in helping us reach more people across the county, and we hope this will help more residents feel supported and able to live well at home.”

To find out more about Homeshare, contact us here 

Two Generations has launched Homeshare in Norfolk, working with Age UK Norfolk to help more people across the county understand how shared living can support companionship, confidence and independent living at home.

Homeshare brings together someone who has a spare room with a carefully selected Homesharer who is looking for affordable accommodation. In return, the Homesharer provides companionship, overnight reassurance and agreed light practical support around the home.

It is not a care service. It is a carefully managed living arrangement, built around trust, suitability and mutual benefit. For the householder, it can bring regular companionship and reassurance. For the Homesharer, it offers affordable accommodation and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.

A trusted local launch in Norfolk

The launch in Norfolk is being supported by Age UK Norfolk, helping to raise awareness of Homeshare as part of the wider conversation around loneliness, connection and ageing well at home.

Ann Donkin, Chief Executive of Age UK Norfolk, said:

“We are really pleased to be supporting the launch of Homeshare in Norfolk with Two Generations. Too many older people tell us they are living alone without the day-to-day connection and reassurance that makes such a difference to wellbeing.

“Homeshare offers a simple but powerful solution — bringing companionship, reassurance and practical support into the home, while helping people maintain their independence for longer. It also creates meaningful intergenerational connections that benefit both parties.”

Lisa Goldsobel, Head of Operations at Two Generations, said:

“We’re delighted to be working with Age UK Norfolk to bring Homeshare to more people across the county.

“For older people and their families, choosing Homeshare is a big decision, so trust is central to everything we do. Every arrangement is carefully managed by Two Generations, from suitability checks through to thoughtful matching, safeguarding and ongoing support.

“Homeshare can help older people feel less alone and more confident at home, while offering Homesharers affordable accommodation and the chance to make a meaningful difference. We hope this work in Norfolk will help more people feel connected, supported and able to live well at home.”

Helping people feel more confident at home

Many people want to remain living independently in the home and community they know, but living alone can sometimes feel isolating. Families may also feel concerned when a parent or loved one is spending long periods of time on their own, particularly overnight.

Homeshare can offer a practical and human response to that situation. It can help reduce loneliness, bring another presence into the home and give families greater peace of mind, while still supporting the householder’s independence.

Every Homeshare arrangement is fully managed by Two Generations. This includes detailed suitability checks, enhanced DBS checks, references, identity checks, careful matching, written agreements, safeguarding and ongoing support throughout the arrangement.

Could Homeshare be right for you?

Homeshare may be suitable for someone who has a spare room and would benefit from companionship, overnight reassurance and some agreed practical help at home.

It may also be suitable for someone looking for affordable accommodation who would value being part of a household and offering regular companionship and support.

If you would like to find out more about Homeshare, or explore whether it could be right for you or someone in your family, get in touch with Two Generations.

As established community leaders, UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are beginning to consider how they can better support their employees with caring responsibilities for older relatives and friends. With forecasts showing nearly one in four people will be over 65 by 2040 and the demand for adult social care soaring (International Longevity Centre UK), SMEs can demonstrate their commitment to their community’s resilience by addressing the growing eldercare gap.

Community anchors

Supporting employees with eldercare needs embeds SMEs deeper in their local communities. By implementing flexible working arrangements, providing caregiving resources, and fostering a culture of understanding, SMEs demonstrate that they are compassionate and forward-thinking organisations that care for their staff and wider communities.

Key benefits for SMEs include:

• Building community trust: ongoing commitment to employee welfare enhances the company’s standing in the local area.
• Increased employee loyalty and engagement: supporting policies that foster a deeper sense of loyalty, reducing turnover, and strengthening workforce stability.
• Boosting employer brand: demonstrating leadership in social responsibility attracts talent, customers, and partners who value community-minded businesses.
• Driving business resilience: a healthier, more engaged workforce means increased productivity and adaptability in changing times.

Building on their existing leadership role, SMEs that support their employees’ eldercare responsibilities will improve well-being and strengthen community bonds. As demographics change, eldercare support is also a strategic move for sustainable SME growth.

Working together, SMEs and communities can better navigate these future social challenges.

Two Generations SME Homeshare model

Two Generations helps employers support working carers through Homeshare, a managed, safeguarding-first service that provides reliable, affordable support at home for employees’ older relatives. Designed for 50-300 employees, our SME model has UK-wide access, an annual management fee, and a 50% employee discount for those who use the scheme. 

Contact us for a consultation.

As this year’s Dementia Action Week in May encourages more conversations about diagnosis, support and living well with dementia, we’re sharing how Homeshare can support people living with early memory problems to stay independent, confident and connected at home.

For many older adults, the first signs of memory change or early-onset dementia are subtle: missing appointments, forgetting meals, or uncertainty about whether they locked the front door. These early shifts don’t necessarily mean someone needs formal care, but they can signal that living alone is becoming more stressful and less secure.

Homeshare can offer a gentle, practical layer of support – one that helps people with early memory problems stay independent, confident, and connected in their own homes. As the son of one of our Householder’s told us, “Two Generations helped my mother as dementia slowly took hold. I remain grateful for the peace of mind they gave me and the comfort and fun that my mother had with her Homesharer.”

Why Homeshare works well for early memory problems and early-onset dementia

Homeshare pairs an older adult with a carefully matched Sharer who provides companionship and 10 hours of practical help each week in exchange for affordable accommodation. For people experiencing early memory issues, this arrangement can make a meaningful difference:

1. Supporting daily routines and reducing risks

Early memory problems often affect the small but essential routines that keep someone safe and well. A Sharer can help by:

• Providing gentle reminders about meals, hydration, and appointments
• Noticing when routines slip and offering practical support to keep the day on track
• Helping with light household tasks that may become overwhelming or easily forgotten
• Offering a reassuring presence that reduces the risk of confusion around daily tasks

This support is not clinical or supervisory – it’s the kind of everyday help that prevents small lapses from becoming bigger problems.

2. Safety and confidence at home

Memory changes can increase anxiety, especially around safety. Many older adults begin to worry about:

• Leaving appliances on
• Losing keys
• Forgetting to lock doors
• Feeling confused at night

A Sharer’s presence can provide immediate reassurance, particularly in the evenings when anxiety tends to rise. Evidence from Homeshare programmes shows that overnight reassurance is one of the main benefits for people with early memory loss, helping them feel secure without needing formal care.

3. Reducing isolation and supporting emotional well-being

Memory problems can lead to withdrawal from social activities, especially if the person feels embarrassed or worried about “getting things wrong.” Homeshare can help by:

• Providing daily companionship and conversation
• Encouraging engagement in familiar routines and hobbies
• Reducing the emotional impact of living alone
• Helping rebuild confidence after a fall, bereavement, or hospital stay

Families often tell us that their loved one becomes more relaxed and sociable once a Sharer moves in.

“We’ve seen a huge difference in her confidence. She is definitely no longer lonely; they make a great team!” Daughter of a Householder living with dementia

4. Supporting independence for longer

Homeshare is particularly valuable for people who:

• Want to remain in their own home
• Are not ready for residential care
• Need light support rather than personal care
• Benefit from structure, reassurance, and social connection

By stabilising daily routines and reducing risks, Homeshare can help delay or avoid the need for more intrusive services.

When Homeshare works well for early memory problems

Homeshare is most effective when the person:

• Has mild memory problems or early‑stage dementia
• Can manage personal care independently
• Understands and agrees to the arrangement
• Has a suitable home environment (including a spare room)
• Is open to sharing their space with another adult

Homeshare is most effective when the person has mild memory problems or early-stage dementia, can manage their own personal care, understands and agrees to the arrangement, and would benefit from companionship, routine and light practical support.

Because a Sharer spends regular time in the home, they may notice small changes in the Householder’s mood, routine or confidence. These can then be shared with the Two Generations team, who can support the family appropriately if concerns arise.

Support and companionship

For people living with early memory problems, Homeshare offers a practical and relationship‑based form of support. It helps maintain independence, strengthens safety and routine, and provides companionship at a time when confidence may be slipping. For families and professionals, it can be a valuable alternative to consider before more formal care is needed.

“Two Generations found the perfect companion for mum… despite mum’s dementia, I now have peace of mind and mum has a new friend along with great support to help her remain as independent as possible in her own home” Daughter of a Householder.

Speak to the team about our Homeshare programme. 

When assessing an older adult, the early indicators that they are not coping are often subtle. You might notice shifts in their daily functioning: a growing hesitation to move around the home alone, increased anxiety in the evenings, or a quiet admission that the house feels harder to manage. They may still be managing, but daily tasks take more effort, and they seem more isolated despite having support in place.

When these quiet shifts appear, it’s helpful to assess whether Homeshare is a suitable option. Homeshare is a practical, non‑clinical support option that helps older people feel safer, less isolated, and more confident at home, without replacing regulated care. It is suitable for adults who are safe to live independently but would benefit from companionship, light practical help, and overnight reassurance.

This article outlines the key indicators a social worker or health professional should look for when assessing whether Homeshare is a suitable option.

1. Home environment: Are the basics in place?

Homeshare requires that the older person has:

• A spare bedroom in good condition

• Accessible kitchen and bathroom facilities

• A home that is safe for another adult to live in

• Space and willingness to support shared living arrangements (privacy, boundaries, routines)

These are essential prerequisites before considering personal suitability.

2. Support needs: Mild to moderate (not personal care)

Homeshare works best for older adults who can manage personal care independently but would benefit from help with:

• Cooking or preparing meals

• Tidying, laundry, light cleaning

• Shopping or errands

• Reminders (appointments, hydration, locking doors)

Sharers typically offer 10 hours of this type of support each week. There is no personal or medical care included

3. Welfare concerns indicate a good fit

Evidence from recent Homeshare reports shows the most common reasons older adults choose Homeshare:

Memory issues or early‑stage dementia

• 35% of householders have dementia or memory loss

• Homeshare can reduce risks such as missed meals, poor nutrition, or forgetting to lock doors

Mobility limitations or falls risk

• 30% of householders have mobility issues

• Homeshare has been shown to significantly reduce falls: among those previously at risk, only 10% experienced a fall once a sharer moved in

Overnight anxiety or safety concerns

• 75% of families cite overnight reassurance as a primary driver

• Particularly relevant after a fall, hospital stay, or bereavement

Loneliness, isolation, or bereavement

• 58% of families explore Homeshare due to loneliness

• Companionship is a core benefit

Desire to remain at home

Homeshare is ideal for older adults who:

• Want to stay in their own home

• Are not ready for residential care

• Need some support to maintain independence

4. Company is the priority

Homeshare works best when the older person:

• Enjoys company and meeting new people

• Is open to compromise and sharing space

• Values independence but welcomes a helping hand

• Understands that Homeshare is not a care service, but companionship

Refer a patient or discuss suitability

If you’re a Social Prescribing Link Worker, GP practice, or a concerned family member and want to explore Homeshare as an option, you can speak to the team about suitability. Contact us here