Share-A-Home: A Unique Community-Based Residential Alternative for the Dependent Elderly - Economics and Logistics of Unrelated Elderly Living as a 'Family'

摘要

A unique form of shared living of mostly elderly, dependent persons developed under the name of 'Share-A-Home' (SAH) in central Florida during the 1970's. In recent years, SAH has spread to other states and, in modified form, to Florida's west coast, after successfully overcoming economic, legal, and zoning barriers. This form of shared living by unrelated elderly persons plus a housekeeper/manager in a low-density residential area and on a self-supporting basis is a promising community-based option in the long-term care continuum. In mid-1981, the author led a DHHS Bureau of Health Planning team to study Florida SAH developments, subsequently summarized some of the major findings in a case study, and co-authored an article on the subject in the first issue of the Journal of Applied Gerontology. The present article addresses more specifically the major economic and logistic barriers and considerations--such as zoning issues--involved in successfully initiating and operating an SAH.