Toulouse. Seniors and young people under the same roof: intelligent colocation
The Mieux ensemble association is looking for these future cohabitation pairs. With a specificity: this somewhat special shared accommodation grouped under the same roof for seniors and students or young professionals. Everyone finds his account.
“Young people with old people is paradise”, says Maguy Blanchard loud and clear. This octogenarian, talkative and playful, has been living in Toulouse for more than a year with two young working people. A cohabitation supervised by the Mieux Ensemble association.
At home, the lower floor, formerly occupied by her children, is now inhabited by Gauthier, 25, and Zaharia, in her thirties. They have their own bedrooms and bathrooms. Everyone lives their own life, which does not prevent them from sharing together a tea, a meal or a walk from time to time. “It’s like living in a studio alone, but with an extra presence. We talk a lot, and we don’t have the same experience, it’s interesting!”, says Gauthier. “All without any constraint”, completes the student.
Rolande Averseng cohabits with Irène. “I see her very little, but I was mainly looking for someone to be there at night since I was widowed. And then, she helps me with the computer!”, She underlines.
A simple coexistence
and flexible
The contribution to the rent to live with Maguy Blanchard is derisory, around 200 euros. An advantage for Gauthier when finding accommodation in Toulouse proves to be financially complicated. “We don’t do it just for that”, unanimously underline the senior and the young man. No household chores are imposed beyond their individual part but willingly given helping hands. “Expectations and participation vary according to each pair. But it is not home help”, recalls Christophe Blanchard of the Mieux Ensemble association.
“I feel reassured, my mother is delighted and everything is well supervised”, confides Anne-Marie, the daughter of Maguy Blanchard. “If she doesn’t answer, I call them, just to check that everything is okay.” A cohabitation that aims to be peaceful and soothing.
A living together that fills the pairs, when 85% of French seniors want to age at home an Ifop survey of 2019. Extended autonomy alongside the youngest, for always more moments according to sharing.