Analysis of Shared Life between the Elderly and the Young at Homeshare in Seoul based on Case Studies

Abstract

The Homeshare Program was promoted to solve the housing problems of the elderly and the young by the SeoulCity in 2012. The elderly can provide spare rooms in their homes for the young at low rental fees, and the young canprovide daily services to the elderly, cooperating with each other for better housing and life. The aim of this research is tofind out how the participants use the shared space and what kinds of activities are shared in homeshare. This research usescase studies, which interviews 10 cases of homeshare in Seoul. The contents of the research are investigated shared spacesof the elderly, and analyzed contents of interaction lives in shared spaces. The elderly experience loneliness while livingalone, and having someone to live with gives them comfort and a sense of security, and this is one motive for participatingin homeshare. The elderly and the young share many equipment and shared activities and interactions in shared space. The homeshare program makes it possible for the elderly to aging in place and have interactive relationships with differentgenerations. Therefore, homeshare may the formation of a new family, and new dwelling utilizing the elderly’s house.