|
Multi-Generational Living Spaces
Options to Consider |
You don't have to have a huge house to welcome your parent, but you do need a plan. You may choose to move your parent into your existing home, or you may choose to sell both your homes and move into a new home. Either way, you will need to define the living spaces to keep everyone safe and sane. Maintaining some separation will help everyone. As much as you like each other, it is difficult to all just move in together. Installing intercoms between spaces makes for easy communication without running back and forth.
You may have to build a new living space or you may find that your home already has the perfect in-law quarters already built into the basement level. Even if the family room is also downstairs, this can make for a great shared room where the children of the family might spend more time with their grandparents - if they are where the t.v. is. You may just need to add a small efficiency kitchen and accessible bathroom.
Determine ahead of time how will you handle meal time to decide how big a kitchen your second living quarters will need. You will want to plan on certain meals together, but you may find that your schedules do not allow every meal to be taken together. If your parent can still safely cook and remember to turn off the burners, you may choose to install a full-blown kitchen. Otherwise, a microwave and small refrigerator will allow your parent to have sandwiches, soup, oatmeal, drinks and snacks at their leisure, while joining you for main meals.
If your parent will be living downstairs or in a space above a garage, you will want to plan for a stair lift, vertical lift or elevator. Stairs are one of the most dangerous places in a home for older people. If your parent cannot get to you because of stairs between your space and theirs, they will feel isolated and trapped. Even if you choose not to install a lift or elevator at first, at least know ahead of time where a lift will fit and how much it will cost.
You may be able to add a small building on your existing lot. There are small movable housing units called ECHO homes that can be installed on your existing lot for as little as $25,000. ECHO stands for Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity. You will need to consult your local building department to determine if your county will allow a second residence and if ECHO homes are allowed. These small homes are designed for accessibility and can be moved and sold when you no longer need it.
Before moving forward with the big move-in, consider your budget carefully. If you need to take out a loan to remodel or add on to your home, will you be able to afford the payment if your parent decides they don't like living with you after all and they move back out? How will the changes effect your home value? Remember that you will never get all of the money back out that you invest in an addition or remodel. You may wish to consult a local realtor to find out how much value the changes you are considering will have. Do not rush forward without considering all aspects of your decisions and have back-up plans in place.
One more option to consider is parent sharing, where a sibling could invite your parent for an extended stay, if even for just a month out of the year. This gives everyone a chance to enjoy some time apart and regroup. You parent may enjoy a little variety and change in scenery. It is not easy giving up your independent lifestyle to try to fit into someone else's home.
|
| Parents in the House.net |
Your Resource and Survival Guide
for living happily ever after |
|
