What Are Boommates, and How Do These Arrangements Benefit Seniors?

Have you heard the term boommates and wondered what it’s all about? Boommates is a modern twist on roommates. It’s actually a combination of the words boomers and roommates. And the term is used to refer to baby boomers, adults born between 1946 and 1964, who choose to live together in shared housing. If the hit comedy Golden Girls comes to mind, you’re on the right track.

As the cost of housing soars and inflation lingers, it’s easy to understand why older adults are choosing this route. But there are reasons beyond financial that are causing many seniors to look to this arrangement as a solution to their retirement housing needs. Let’s explore some of the most common ones.

Benefits of Boommate Arrangements for Seniors:

Financial Savings

One of the leading reasons older adults opt to share their living space is purely economic. With the home pricing index up by a staggering 47% since 2020, these kinds of arrangements have much to offer. Sharing rent or mortgage, utilities, and other household expenses reduces individual financial burdens—especially useful for retirees on fixed incomes.

Social Connection

Loneliness is a common issue for older adults. There’s ample research to show that isolation in older adults contributes to everything from depression and diabetes to cardiac disease. Living with others provides daily social interaction and emotional support, which, in turn, help people enjoy healthier lives.

Shared Household Responsibilities

One challenge people face as they grow older is maintaining a home. The day-to-day upkeep and annual maintenance tasks can be difficult and sometimes even dangerous. When split among roommates or done together, many of these jobs become easier and safer. House chores, errands, and cooking can be divided to make daily life easier and more manageable.

Increased Safety

With age comes greater risk for health emergencies and falls. When older adults live alone, these events can have disastrous results. Having someone else in the home can help keep a senior safer. In the case of falls, illness, or emergencies, having someone there to help or call for assistance is a huge benefit. Boommates can take safety a step further by purchasing mobile monitoring units. In the event of an emergency, these devices can be used to quickly summon help.

Extended Independence

Talk with most older adults and they’ll tell you their retirement wish is to remain independent and in their own home. But when you’re alone, that can be tough to do. Through mutual support, seniors may be able to delay or prevent the need to move into a senior living community.

Protect Emotional Well-Being

Living with peers can offer a sense of purpose, community, and continued engagement with others. There’s a sense of comfort that comes from having someone to talk with who is able to relate to and empathize with your aging journey. That can provide a boost to overall mental health.

Finding a Roommate to Enjoy Retirement Living

A few notes of caution before moving in with a fellow senior: Do a little research. If you don’t know the person or haven’t been acquainted for long, it’s probably worth talking with your local authorities about how to perform a background check in your city and state. That can help to identify any potential red flags.

Also make sure you set some ground rules up front before making any changes. Clearly delineate roles and responsibilities in writing. It is probably worth talking with an elder law attorney for guidance. If you don’t already have one, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys website can help you locate an experienced attorney in your local community.