Do You Want to Make the Most of Your Home?
Where Can My Mom Live When She Gets Older?
Do You Want To Make The Most of Your Home?
Hey, we’re Framework First! We’re determined to make the most of each and every home through our courses, content, and ADUs! Our only question for you… will yours be next?
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So, your mom is getting a bit older. Although she is still active and living on her own, eventually she really will need help since she is all alone. Your mom still drives, goes to church on Sundays and plays cards with her ladies group, but is she safe? How long can she stay in that big old house by herself? Should you have someone move in with her to help with her daily chores? Is Mom okay by herself still with just a daily phone call from you? If you did have someone move in with her or even just come a couple of times per week, would that person be trustworthy? Where would you find someone to come and cook and clean for Mom?
And the big question, “How much would it cost?”
There are a lot of things to think about when planning care for a parent.
- Safety of your parent
- Security of your parent
- Home maintenance & cleaning
- Food preparation & shopping
- Quality of life
How can I afford a place for my dad to live when he gets older?
Of course you can hire someone to come to the house and care for your dad, and that may be okay for a while, but an ADU may be the better choice. If you add onto your home with either an ADU or a JADU your dad can still maintain his independence by having his own separate entrance to his new home. He can still do a lot of the same things he has always done, but with family close by. Trips to the grocery store can be done safely and easily with you by his side. If you or another family member needs to help dad with a chore, he is just steps away from your house. Not only is this a great option from a cost standpoint, but also a great quality of life for your father. An ADU can help both you and your parent/s with safety and security.
What are your options for housing an aging parent?
- Detached ADU – Complete Separate Home in Your Backyard
- Attached ADU – Basement or Garage Converted to Separate Home
- JADU – Separate Bedroom with Kitchenette and Shared Bathroom
Choose the option that fits best for your parent/s as well as for your budget. Possibly your parent can help contribute to the cost of their new ADU, either by the sale of their home or from savings. The least expensive option would be converting an existing bedroom into a JADU. This can be a great option for you and your parent if, say your kids are up and out of the home and you have room to spare. With a JADU, both your parent and you can maintain some separation while still sharing the same home. Think attached hotel suite with a mini fridge, microwave and coffee maker. Don’t forget to include safety features for your JADU or ADU. Bars to hold onto in the bathroom and by entrances to the home are important. Make sure all walkways are well lit and double check for any tripping hazards or uneven surfaces. Even rugs can trip you up when your feet and legs don’t work perfectly any longer.
An attached ADU can also be a more affordable option by converting your garage into a small home or studio apartment. Many people don’t actually even park their vehicles in the garage, so converting it to living space can be pretty easily done. You may already have easy access to plumbing from an existing washer and dryer in the garage. To save costs keep your plumbing for the bathroom and kitchen close to the laundry area or the wall that backs the house kitchen. That way there is water and sewer for less expensive plumbing connections.
Garage Conversion ADU Planning:
- Keep plumbing close to existing kitchen or laundry
- Footings for enclosing vehicle door
- Keep vehicle door on exterior for nice look
- Add window/s for light
- Add glass entrance door for light
- Check electrical panel for size and quality
Possibly the most ideal option is a detached ADU. Located in your backyard, this is a close space for your parent, but not too close. Of course you love them, but this will give everyone a sense of space and privacy. They will still be your favorite neighbor to stop by for a cup of tea or invite over for dinner or a barbeque too. Having a fully functioning home in your backyard, while smaller, can be the perfect option for your mom or dad or both! If you have kids (or their grandchildren) this can really be a win-win situation. The kids can help your parents feel young and needed and your parents can help you with after school care or babysitting. Either in your house or their ADU, this can keep a multi generational family connected and enjoying life together with only steps apart!
Where can I live cheaply when I retire?
All of these JADU and ADU options are great choices to help with housing for an aging (or even not so aging) parent. Start your ADU project now while the laws are in your favor. Who knows you may even want to live in your ADU someday. Plan ahead and you could have a great retirement home in your own backyard. And the best part, someone could be paying you thousands of dollars each and every month to rent the big front house. Now that’s a great way to supplement with big passive income!
To see which option works best for your property you can always contact us at Framework First or purchase a feasibility study, and we’ll do all of the work for you!
About Framework First
Framework First is a construction company that specialized in ADU, and has over 38 years of construction experience. We strive to change the lives of homeowners, one ADU at a time.
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Written by: Cathy Canales
Cathy Canales is a co-founder of Framework First, host of the Framework First Podcast, and is the author behind the Framework First books and workbooks.
- February 8, 2022
- 3:47 pm
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