Are you facing a difficult decision about caring for an aging parent? It’s something that most people have to deal with at some point in their lives. While long-term care homes (LTCs) have been a common solution for seniors who need care, they can be very expensive.
However, an increasingly popular alternative has emerged – an additional dwelling unit (ADU), sometimes called a backyard home. You can have an ADU built on your property to house your aging parents, keeping them close to you without the expense of an LTC.
The Growing Need for Alternative Solutions
As the population ages, more seniors are finding themselves struggling to maintain their independent lifestyle due to physical challenges. They become unable to perform daily tasks on their own.
Long-term care homes are one solution, but they have limitations that can impact the quality of life for seniors. LTCs can be isolating for many, with limited time to spend with family members or other visitors, and they come at a high cost, depleting the senior’s savings over time.
Multigenerational living as an alternative is gaining steam across the country as a way for families to stay close and limit their expenses. This kind of living may involve the senior occupying a bedroom in the home, but doing so comes with limited privacy for both the senior and their family members
ADUs, on the other hand, allow the aging parent to maintain a level of independence and privacy while remaining close to their family.
Benefits of Aging in Place with ADUs
ADUs for aging parents are increasingly common as more people recognize their many benefits, including their cost-effectiveness. LTCs generally come with a monthly cost of $3,000 to $5,000 dollars, plus additional fees for various levels of care, while the costs of an ADU are limited to the purchase and installation of the unit.
Prices for ADU construction vary based on the size of the unit and can range from $100K to $300K or more. However, most homeowners tend to finance their backyard home through a mortgage on their entire property, with the isolated monthly ADU costs coming in significantly less than the cost to be in a LTC home.
Also, keep in mind that LTC payments are essentially flushed down the drain, while ADU payments are increasing the value of your property.
Support for Aging
Living in an ADU allows seniors to receive support from family members, but also maintain a level of independence. They can also access support services such as mobile nursing services or in-home care workers on an as-needed basis, providing a level of flexibility that is not always possible in LTC homes. These services can ease the burden of family members while meeting the senior’s daily needs.
Staying in the Neighborhood
Living in familiar surroundings in an ADU can positively impact the mental and social well-being of seniors. It is important to reduce isolation by providing opportunities to interact with their family and neighbors while still having a level of privacy. They also remain in control of their time and can live their daily lives just as they always have.
Transition to ADU Living
Moving from a main dwelling into an LTC can be a difficult transition as it usually means a huge change in lifestyle. Transitioning to an ADU, on the other hand, allows seniors to maintain independence and privacy while remaining close to family. In an ADU, seniors can still feel like they’re at home, rather than feeling like a patient in a facility.
Accessibility Considerations
Building an ADU allows you to choose the kind of home that your parent needs. Most backyard homes can be constructed with accessibility features taken into account (for example, our Eden Dwellings models!). Whether it is a single-floor unit, so they don’t have to navigate stairs, or accessible bathrooms based on the senior’s needs, features of the ADU can also be modified over time as the needs of your family member change.
Multigenerational Living
Beyond the support for the aging parent, multigenerational living has many benefits, such as the connection between grandchildren and their grandparents. An ADU also offers family proximity which can lead to opportunities for child care, shared meals, and familial support that is not always possible when living farther away from one another.
ADUs can also support family integration, particularly in the context of immigration where extended family members seek to live together. While shared housing is common in many other countries around the world, typical Canadian homes have not always easily provided for this type of multigenerational living.
Do Your Homework
Before you jump in, you’ll need to understand the process and details of adding an ADU, such as design options, the construction process, and financing options. Your first step should be a consultation with a builder who can offer guidance, although you can also find a wealth of ADU educational resources online as well.
Additionally, you can read about new government initiatives and programs designed to encourage ADU construction. ADUs are being recognized more and more as a way to create more affordable housing options for renters or family members.
If you believe that an ADU might be the right solution for your loved one, use this Resimate tool to find, out if your property can accommodate an ADU.
Conclusion
Backyard homes offer a creative approach to addressing senior care needs while fostering stronger family bonds. They are cost-effective and allow aging family members to maintain privacy and independence. Essentially, ADUs provide a win-win solution for seniors, families, and the broader community by enhancing the quality of life and enabling closer family connections within a supportive environment.
