Much More Than Accommodation in Exchange for Company: Dimensions of Solidarity in an Intergenerational Homeshare Program in Spain

Abstract

Intergenerational homeshare programs are being implemented, but they are not often submitted to evaluation. In 2009 and 2010, an evaluation of the largest intergenerational homeshare program in the country was conducted. Dimensions of intergenerational solidarity in the program were assessed through a quantitative analysis. The program was found to be one in which at least three dimensions of intergenerational solidarity—associative, affectual, and functional—are practiced. Results indicate that intergenerational homeshare programs should be considered much more than simple exchanges of accommodation for company. The use of the solidarity model to evaluate these kind of programs is recommended.

Keywords:

• intergenerational program
• intergenerational solidarity
• Spain
• homeshare
• evaluation

Notes

1. Throughout the article, numerous references appear to CIS (Center for Sociological Research), a government body whose mission is to study Spanish society on an ongoing basis. It is a very important source of information on the opinions and behaviors of Spain's population.

2. In this case, appropriateness of this comparison was based on the fact that the sample profile and wording of this particular item in both studies coincided.