Sharedaging

Sharedaging is a term used to describe a set of approaches in which aging-related needs and caregiving are addressed through shared resources, collective planning, and community-based living arrangements. The term is not standardized and appears in gerontology, urban planning, and social policy discussions.

Key elements include shared housing or co-housing for older adults, formal or informal caregiver networks, volunteer and professional support teams, and digital platforms that coordinate tasks, payments, and health information. These components aim to distribute responsibilities and resources across families, neighbors, and local institutions.

Benefits commonly associated with sharedaging include reduced isolation, greater resilience, potential cost savings, and easier access to care. By leveraging community networks, individuals may retain independence longer while maintaining safety and social connectedness.

Challenges encompass regulatory and funding barriers, privacy and consent concerns, coordination complexity, and the risk of unequal access or uneven quality of services. Implementing shared aging models requires careful governance, data protection, and clear agreements among participants, providers, and funders.

Research and policy status: the evidence base is evolving, with pilots and case studies in various cities that explore aging in place and intergenerational living. More rigorous evaluation is needed to establish outcomes, best practices, and scalable models.

See also: aging in place, co-housing, intergenerational living, shared housing for seniors.