MULTI-GENERATIONAL LIVING

   Articles

My Retirement Plan Is You Next month, Sian’s getting a co-tenant of a different sort: his 78-year-old mother, Rebecca Danigelis. “I don’t think either of us expected to be in this situation.” – NYTimes.com

Could an Accessory Dwelling Unit Help Your Aging Parent? An ADU might be worth considering to care for a parent nearby. – nextavenue.com

Students in Milan are moving in with the elderly to fight loneliness and save money “Intergenerational living makes great sense, not only economically, but also emotionally.” – World Economic Forum

America at Home: Grandparents in the Attic, Children in the Basement A multigenerational household, as defined by the Pew Research Center (the census uses a different standard), includes at least two generations of related adults, or grandparents and grandchildren. Both phenomena increased during the recession — and interestingly, long after its end, they haven’t declined. – New York Times

What to Know Before Buying a Home With Your Parents Before creating a multigenerational home, do your research and consider a “house prenup” for finances and an “exit strategy” in case somebody decides to move out.– New York Times

Facts: Moving a Parent Into Your Home Making the decision to move a parent into your home is not necessarily as clear-cut as it would seem. A number of situations and questions arise that need addressing. The Family Caregiver Alliance’s family Consultants suggest that it is helpful to consider these issues before the move is made…– Next Avenue

Grandparents Who Move to Be Closer to Grandchildren Not all grandparents have the wherewithal — or the desire — to be closer to their grandchildren. But with families increasingly far-flung, those who want to establish or maintain a bond may have to go where their grandchildren are. The big decision is whether that move is relatively permanent or clearly temporary... – New York Times

This Preschool Inside A Nursing Home Proves True Friendship Knows No Age In many ways, Providence Mount St. Vincent in Seattle is a typical senior living community. It’s home to about 400 elderly residents and provides them with different types of assistance. However, within the facility is also the Intergenerational Learning Center — a preschool where children and seniors have the chance to bond. — Huffington Post

Granny Units, also called In-Law Units, usually have a small living/kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. — Houseplans.com

In the Backyard, Grandma’s New Apartment  The Page family will soon become the first family in the country to take delivery of a high-tech MEDCottage. The cottage is laid out as an open-plan apartment with a kitchen area (equipped with a microwave, small refrigerator, and washer-dryer combo), a bed area and a bathroom large enough in which to maneuver a wheelchair. The utilities and plumbing connect to the primary residence.—New York Times

These Backyard “Granny Pods” Could be the Solution to Nursing Homes MedCottages or “Granny Pods” are an excellent solution for taking care of elderly family members. I am actually quite excited about having my loved ones close, but still in their own space. Reverend Ken Dupin invented these 12 feet by 24 feet pods that sit conveniently in any backyard and plug right up one’s existing plumbing and electrical. They allow both caregiver and senior to have their own space while remaining connected. – DavidWolfe.com

Building Homes for Modern Multigenerational Families The house also has a feature that the builders are betting will be a hit, like the dog showers and craft rooms that beckoned during the boom. Tucked inside is a one-bedroom apartment with its own garage and a discrete entrance around the side. –The New York Times

Books

Together Again: A Creative Guide to Successful Multigenerational Living by Sharon Graham Niederhaus and John L. Graham  As it stands now the benefits of extended family living are being masked by the World War II generation’s fancy for independence. That worked fine for them. But the coming failure of the social security and healthcare systems in this country are forcing us all to rethink how we live and care for one another. This book offers solutions based in part on interviews with over 100 people now involved in extended family living relationships.

Under One Roof Again: All Grown Up and (Re)Learning to Live Together Happily  by Susan Newman, PhD. As nest eggs shrink, parents are moving in with their adult children and grandchildren in record numbers. Similarly, with jobs scarce and unemployment high, more and more adult children, be they recent college grads (77% of them in 2009) or on their own for a while, are returning home to their parents.

When Your Parent Moves In: Every Adult Child’s Guide to Living with an Aging Parent by David Horgan. So you thought you’d never have to live with Mom again? Think again. As the population ages, elderly parents everywhere are moving in with their children—and changing everything. Making room—physically, emotionally, and financially—for an elderly parent can push families to their limits. This book helps family members deal with the far-reaching implications such a move can have on every aspect of a family’s life.