How well do you know your next-door neighbor? Do you trust them enough to invite them to your home?

Allowing them to live with you is an option.

Chris Salvatore moved next door to Norma Cook, an 85-year-old woman, and Hermes, her cat, in 2013.

They didn’t generally greet each other, but once Salvator introduced himself, they became fast friends.

They became such good friends that Salvatore, a 31-year-old actor, asked Norma to move in when she was nearing the end of her life and required ongoing care.

Norma’s health began to decline rapidly when she turned 89. After a hospital stay, Salvatore realized that Cook would not be allowed to go home unless he received continued care. She was at a loss because she didn’t have any children or family nearby.

Salvatore set up a GoFundMe campaign for Cook. Before the 31-year-old realized he needed to take extra action, he and his best friend assessed a few caretakers.

“The only other choice was for her to enter a facility,” he explained to TODAY. “I couldn’t do that to someone who reminds me of my grandmother.”

Cook was invited to live in his residence.

“I’m so glad I was able to give her the gift of spending her final days at home,” Salvatore said on GoFundMe. “I can’t image going through the end of your life in a hospital without your friends and pets.”

They turned out to be great roommates.

“We’re always watching the news,” Cook said. “We primarily converse, drink Champagne, and snack on peanuts.”

Cook tragically died on February 15, 2017. Salvatore shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram, where he routinely blogged about the couple’s trips.

“She referred to me as the granddaughter she never had,” Salvatore recalled of Cook.

Cook didn’t need Salvatore’s help in any way, but he couldn’t take the thought of her dying alone in a hospital.

Please share this post if you agree that Salvatore is an excellent role model for us all.