Cohousing: an intergenerational programme at the University of Valladolid (UVa)

Since 1997, the University of Valladolid (UVa) has been developing a program of intergenerational cohousing in collaboration with the City Councils of Valladolid, Segovia, Soria and Palencia (Castilla y León Region, Spain).

The aim of this project is to provide students with the opportunity of living rent-free in a house with an older adult as an exchange of mutual help rooted on preventing social isolation. Nowadays, 11 apartments are available for cohousing purposes.

This kind of intergenerational programs perks for both generations. Studies have shown that there are huge health benefits to the elder (i.e. from preventing dementia to regulating blood pressure) that come from social contact with younger people (Wacker & Roberto, 2013[1]). On the other hand, college students can afford the increasing cost of the University fees thanks to the reduction in the housing costs.

Together with receiving good quality care, social interaction is a key element of the quality of life of older people. This programme illustrates how the actions to improve home care implemented by CARESS can be complemented with other strategies and programmes that also contribute to ensuring quality of life at home.