A recent survey taken by the Angus Reid Institute reported that more than 50% of Canadians surveyed said that their mental health was worse now than before the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, 25% of those living with home-mates said that their relationship with their home-mates had improved – and only 15% said they had worsened. That was the case whether the home-mates were spouses, families or just roommates. And apparently the more people in the household the more positive the impact!
As a single senior I, for one, am very grateful to be sharing my self-isolation at home with other people! We truly are all in this together. As a retired nurse, one of my housemates is a stickler for proper hygiene, and the rest of us willingly comply. As Rebeca Schiller said in her recent blog on the Sharing Housing website: “Safe with A Housemate?” it is important that home-mates are on the same page with regard to their response to the pandemic. But having someone around to share your concerns, watch the news — and even have some fun with! – is invaluable!
If you are a senior living alone, this may be a time when you will look more seriously at the possibility of finding a compatible housemate or two, once the days of social distancing are behind us. Certainly a good question to ask will be: “How did you respond to the pandemic?” The answer will give you insight into their mind-set.
There is still time to register for the first online Golden Girls Canada home-sharing workshop: A Golden Solution for Empty Nesters” next Saturday, May 9th. You can register at www.goldengirlscanada.ca, under the “Workshops” link towards the bottom of the home page or call 416-550-4015
Golden Girls Canada is owned and operated by Golden HomeSharing Connections
Home-mate matching services for older adults by accredited
seniors real estate specialist (SRES) Dorothy Mazeau.
Want to know more?
Tune in to the Zoomer Radio 740AM show “From a Woman’s Perspective” the first Saturday each month and listen to Dorothy talk about housing options!
Invite Dorothy to speak at your next service club, church or social group meeting. Her presentation *An Introduction to Golden Girls Living * offers plenty of food for thought!