Are Granny Pods the solution to helping our parents live on their own and have supervision simultaneously? AARP estimates that about 23 million Americans take care of their elderly parents. Many wish to “age in place,” however living on their own may not be an option and may cause anxiety and guilt for some families. Some adult children are willing to welcome grandma or grandpa into their own homes but may not have the space.
If you are considering inviting mom or dad to live with you but lack space there are options, both temporary and permanent. Have you seen the “Granny Pod?” It can be compared to a bungalow or cottage on the outside and a nice hotel suite on the inside. There is enough room for a bed, living room, bathroom, and kitchenette. They can accommodate a wheelchair and hospital equipment if needed.
MEDCottage develops upscale senior housing using the latest innovative technology and supports the idea of family-managed healthcare temporarily placed on a caregiver’s property. The tiny home is essentially a portable hospital room designed by a Blacksburg, VA company, with help from Virginia Tech. Think of it as sort of a guest house with lots of high-tech medical extras. MEDCottages are pre-fabricated and designed to be installed in the backyard behind the main home (zoning laws permitting, of course). They offer three styles: MedCottage, Classic, and Grand range in price from $85,000-$125,000, with an option as low as $40,000.
I see this as very convenient for some families, and I love the innovative idea, however, I can’t imagine it passing zoning laws in my backyard in Cherry Hill, NJ.
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If zoning and budget are an issue you can always look into a basic modification of a basement, garage, or spare room into a guest suite with a small kitchenette for about $25,000 to $75,000, and it can increase the value of your home when it’s time to sell, a win-win.