CEO Perspective: Family Questions on Shared Living
Oct 22, 2026, 01:10 PM
By George H. Fleischner, Nonotuck President & CEO
What are families asking about shared living:
Families understandably have a lot of questions about Shared Living. They’re considering where someone they love is going to live and who is going to become an important part of that person’s life. Those are significant decisions, and I would expect families to ask difficult and thoughtful questions.
They want to know: Who is this caregiver? How are caregivers selected and screened? How do you know this is the right match? Will my family member be safe? Will they be respected? What happens if the relationship doesn’t work out? What support does Nonotuck provide to the caregiver and to the person living in the home?
There are practical questions as well. What will everyday life look like? Will my family member continue seeing us? Will they maintain their friendships and community connections? Will they be able to make choices about their life? What happens as their needs change? Who will advocate for them if there is a problem?
But I think underneath many of those questions is an even more important one: Will this person truly care about my family member?
And I understand that question.
Families aren’t simply looking for someone who can provide the necessary supports. They want someone who will get to know the person they love—who will understand what makes them happy, what they enjoy, what frustrates them, how they communicate, what is important to them, and what they want for their life.
That’s why the matching process and the relationship are so important. We’re not simply trying to find an available home. We’re trying to help create the possibility for a genuine relationship.
I also think families need to know that Shared Living doesn’t mean losing their role. Family relationships remain incredibly important. A successful Shared Living situation should respect those relationships and, whenever possible, help strengthen and preserve them.
I would never tell a family that they shouldn’t have concerns. I would tell them to ask questions. Visit the home. Get to know the caregiver. Take the time to see how the relationship develops. Listen to your family member. And expect us to listen as well.
Because ultimately, the goal isn’t simply to find someone a place to live. It’s to help them find a home where they can be known, respected, valued, and cared about—and where they can continue building a life that is genuinely their own.