Bay Area Startup Pairs Students With Seniors Needing Help

When Alison Donnally watched her family members struggle with isolation as they aged, she knew there had to be a better solution. Then as a new mom searching for childcare, she had an idea: what if the au pair model could help seniors stay independent while giving students affordable housing?

That lightbulb moment led to JoeyCo, a Bay Area startup connecting college students with retired homeowners. Students get a place to live and flexible work around their class schedule, while seniors receive help with daily tasks and reliable companionship.

The numbers make sense for both sides. Students pay reduced rent based on how many hours they work for their host, earning between $25 to $30 per hour for tasks like grocery shopping, meal prep, transportation, and spending quality time together. The work isn't formal caregiving, which requires special licenses, but covers nearly everything else.

Nanik Tagore, 22, found his match with Robert and Paige Miller during his sophomore year. Paige was diagnosed with early-onset dementia in 2023, and Tagore now helps the couple about 10 hours weekly with errands, transportation, and daily conversations.

Tagore pays $1,750 in rent for a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette, but earns back about $500 monthly through his work. That's a steal compared to Bay Area studio apartments, which run $2,200 to $3,300 per month according to Zillow.

Sunny's Take

The relationship goes far beyond dollars and cents. "It doesn't feel like work," Tagore told reporters. "It doesn't feel like a chore to lend a helping hand." He graduated in May but plans to stay with the Millers through 2026.

For Paige Miller, having Tagore around means more than just help with errands. "It gives me back my freedom," she explained. "He's great to have around. And he laughs at my jokes."

The arrangement challenges assumptions about generational divides too. "I'm a big fan of intergenerational living," Tagore said. "I hope to dispel the myth that Gen Z and boomers can't get along."

JoeyCo charges hosts a $500 search fee and $299 monthly for ongoing support, tax help, and logistics. Students set their own preferences for rent, hourly wages, and available hours, creating custom matches that work for everyone involved.

Two generations, one roof, and proof that the best solutions help everyone at the table.