The social program 'Auchón', inspired by ancient Canarian caves of communal living, has been launched by the Government of the Canary Islands to foster companionship between generations and address isolation, housing access difficulties, and the lack of daily support.
The initiative, managed by the Centro de Familia, seeks to revive the idea of living together, listening to, and caring for each other, connecting elderly individuals living alone with young people in vulnerable housing situations.
A successful example is the cohabitation between Genoveva López, 74, and Janiled Albarracín, a 20-year-old Venezuelan young woman, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. After seven months together, both highlight the improvement in their quality of life, mutual companionship, and emotional support received, breaking the feeling of loneliness.
Pilar González, a program pedagogue, explains that 'Auchón' is not a traditional rental but a solidarity cohabitation with contracts, rules, rights, duties, and professional follow-up. The program targets autonomous seniors over 60 and young people aged 18 to 30, including profiles such as care leavers or victims of gender-based violence.
Despite the benefits, the program faces fear and mistrust from some elderly individuals and their families regarding potential squatting, a concern addressed with legal backing and the possibility of suspending cohabitation if it doesn't work. Furthermore, significant youth loneliness has been detected, an aspect the program also aims to mitigate.
Gema Cárdenes, a resident of Gran Canaria, is still awaiting a young person to share her home with. She views loneliness as a stage for self-discovery and values the opportunity to share routines, conversations, and cultural activities, emphasizing that old age should not be synonymous with isolation. "Youth gives me spark," she states.
The program aims to rebuild bonds between generations who, despite facing similar issues like loneliness or homelessness, often live separately. The experience of Genoveva and Janiled in Tenerife demonstrates how this initiative can foster valuable daily relationships, while in Gran Canaria, Gema hopes to soon experience that same connection.
The initiative, managed by the Centro de Familia, seeks to revive the idea of living together, listening to, and caring for each other, connecting elderly individuals living alone with young people in vulnerable housing situations.
A successful example is the cohabitation between Genoveva López, 74, and Janiled Albarracín, a 20-year-old Venezuelan young woman, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. After seven months together, both highlight the improvement in their quality of life, mutual companionship, and emotional support received, breaking the feeling of loneliness.
Pilar González, a program pedagogue, explains that 'Auchón' is not a traditional rental but a solidarity cohabitation with contracts, rules, rights, duties, and professional follow-up. The program targets autonomous seniors over 60 and young people aged 18 to 30, including profiles such as care leavers or victims of gender-based violence.
Despite the benefits, the program faces fear and mistrust from some elderly individuals and their families regarding potential squatting, a concern addressed with legal backing and the possibility of suspending cohabitation if it doesn't work. Furthermore, significant youth loneliness has been detected, an aspect the program also aims to mitigate.
Gema Cárdenes, a resident of Gran Canaria, is still awaiting a young person to share her home with. She views loneliness as a stage for self-discovery and values the opportunity to share routines, conversations, and cultural activities, emphasizing that old age should not be synonymous with isolation. "Youth gives me spark," she states.
The program aims to rebuild bonds between generations who, despite facing similar issues like loneliness or homelessness, often live separately. The experience of Genoveva and Janiled in Tenerife demonstrates how this initiative can foster valuable daily relationships, while in Gran Canaria, Gema hopes to soon experience that same connection.
