{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"209: Aging in Place: How JoeyCo Matches Older Adults with Student Housemates","description":"What if the answer to aging well at home isn't an expensive caregiver --- but a college student in the spare bedroom? In this episode, host Kirsten Howe sits down with Alison Donnally, founder of JoeyCo and a healthcare innovation veteran of Amazon Care and Kaiser Permanente. After three of her own family members experienced major health events while aging alone, Alison asked a question that wouldn't let go: if the au pair system gives American families relatively affordable live-in childcare, why isn't there an equivalent for older adults? Her answer is JoeyCo, which matches older adult homeowners ("hosts") with screened, vetted local students ("Joeys") who rent a room in the home and work for the household --- groceries, dog walks, trash cans, and the everyday help that keeps life running. Together, Kirsten and Alison break down what makes these arrangements actually work: the legal structure behind every match in California, the clear expectations set before anyone moves in, and the simple communication habits that keep small issues from ever turning into big ones. They also explore the deeper reason this model resonates: as we age, our world tends to get smaller. A little help --- and a little company --- can push it back open. Time-stamped Show Notes: 0:00 Introduction 0:30 Kirsten's focus for this episode series: not living longer, but living better --- all the way to the end. 1:05 Meet Alison Donnally, founder of JoeyCo, with a background spanning Amazon Care, Kaiser Permanente, the NFL, Tuck, and Wharton. 1:40 The concept in a nutshell: older adult "hosts" get affordable help at home, and student "Joeys" get a place to live and a job. 2:42 Alison shares the personal inspiration --- three family members, aging alone for very different reasons, each experienced a major health event. 3:25 "These are not healthcare things that are happening to my family members, until it is something that is healthcare." 3:50 The aha moment came from the au pair system: why not affordable live-in support for older adults, too? 4:52 How it works in California: lodging agreements, household employment rules, and keeping the complexity on JoeyCo's side. 6:45 Who becomes a host? Often women aging alone with an extra bedroom and a desire to help solve the housing crisis. 7:30 Another common host: a household where a family member is the caregiver for someone with dementia or a chronic condition. 8:05 Every match starts with one question: what would make this host come alive? 8:47 Kirsten's theater-line story --- Joeys aren't caregivers, but getting to a play matters, too. 9:45 Even chit-chat in line adds vibrancy to a life that can start to feel smaller with age. 10:21 "One by one, we lose our friends." Why JoeyCo is more than a business transaction. 11:42 Did you know? A room-for-chores swap isn't legally compliant in California --- every match takes two agreements: monthly rent from Joey to host, and biweekly W-2 payroll from host to Joey. 12:56 The house manual covers the roommate stuff up front: Wi-Fi passwords, fridge shelves, and clear expectations. 13:30 Weekly look-ahead meetings keep payroll accurate and schedules in sync --- flexibility requires communication. 13:55 The bathroom fan story: handling the little things before they become big things. Take the Next Step in Your Estate Planning Journey If this episode resonated with you, we'd love to help you with your own estate planning needs in California. Schedule a complimentary discovery call with our team at Absolute Trust Counsel. During this no-obligation conversation, we'll: Learn about your unique situation and goals Answer questions about our services Determine if we're the right fit to work together Visit https:\/\/absolutetrustcounsel.com\/scheduling\/ or call 925-943-2740 to schedule your free discovery call today. Follow and Review: We\u2019d love for you to follow us if you haven\u2019t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We\u2019d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select \u201cRatings and Reviews\u201d and \u201cWrite a Review\u201d then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a couple second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits: The Absolute Trust Talk podcast is brought to you with the help of Q2Mark, led by Chief Marketing Officer Susie Hays. Since 2016, Q2Mark has partnered with Absolute Trust Counsel on all marketing communications\u2014from brand development and website design to this podcast series with over 192 episodes, social media management, video production, and more. If you're business owner looking for comprehensive marketing support, visit Q2Mark.com. ","author_name":"Absolute Trust Talk","author_url":"https:\/\/absolutetrustcounsel.com\/podcast","html":"