Intergenerational caring in Collaborative Housing: Older adults and mutual care in France

Abstract

This chapter explores a Collaborative Housing community in Lyon, France, emphasising intergenerational care practices and their effects on the well-being of residents. The community promotes mutual support, encouraging exchanges of care among older and younger residents. Collaborative living spaces and shared activities promote social connections, addressing challenges of social isolation and loneliness. Employing an intergenerational agency framework, this chapter highlights resident-driven co-design of age-friendly environments and participative decision-making processes. Findings reveal that Collaborative Housing enhances life satisfaction, supports independence and nurtures empathy through dynamic intergenerational interactions, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional care models.