MultiGenerational Home Living
Making Room for Aging Parents and Boomerang Kids
The number of Americans living in multigenerational homes has risen steadily – Pew Research reports that more than 60-million US residents live with multiple generations under one roof. That is nearly 20 percent of the nation’s entire population and expected to continue to grow to nearly 75-million over the next decade.
This housing trend is due to rising costs in senior housing, assisted living facilities, and healthcare more and more families making room in their homes for their aging parents. In addition, college tuition and divorce rates are at an all-time high; post-college and post-divorce adult children, often referred to as ‘Boomerang Kids’, are returning home to live. Therefore, for the sake of everyone’s comfort and sanity, families are looking to establish privacy, independence, and separate shared living space, when necessary.
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If you are like many Americans, your housing needs may have or you expect will change with a need to accommodate your aging parents, your children, or your grandchildren—or a combination
of all three. Although millions of Americans make this transition
every year, it can still feel like entirely new territory. But when done right, multigenerational home living can be a wonderful experience that benefits every family member.
MultiGenerational Homes Benefits:
Shared Expenses
Maintaining two households is undeniably costlier and more rigorous than sharing the responsibilities of one. By bringing family members and resources together under one roof, families can collectively address their expenses and allocate finances accordingly.
Shared Responsibilities
Sharing a home is very convenient for a wide range of circumstances. For example, elderly parents often need a bit more help with everyday tasks, such as grocery shopping and lawn care. Living in the same home makes these kinds of tasks simple and convenient for those who need help.
Strengthened Family Bond
While most families come together on special occasions, multigenerational families have the luxury of seeing each other every day. By living under one roof, these families develop a high level of attachment and closeness. Here’s how:
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Grandparents serve as role models for their grandchildren through daily interactions, while grandchildren learn to respect and connect with their elders.
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Grandparents feel more engaged and useful when they can provide help to their children and grandchildren, whether that’s through giving life advice or merely helping a grandchild with homework.
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Many studies have supported the notion that grandparents regularly have a profound influence on their grandchildren by ushering in a loving atmosphere and healthy relationship.
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Loneliness is a common social problem for the elderly. The emptiness of their home weighs heavily on them, making
them feel disconnected from the rest of their family and community. Through daily activities with family members in a multigenerational home, grandparents experience a better quality of life.
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Ensured Family Safety
Home security is a terrific benefit of multigenerational living. With multiple generations under one roof, a home is rarely ever left unoccupied for long, and living with other family members increases the chances that someone is present to assist elderly family members should they have an accident.
Privacy and Independents
One common concern families face when shifting their lifestyle is the fear of losing privacy. With so many heads under one roof, it can feel like there’s no place to turn for solitude. Yet, we can design you home with a floor plan which will ensure that every family member can have quiet time. Features, such as separate bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens, allow for complete separation between the generations within the household.
MultiGenerational Home Design:
There are numerous options when it comes to building new custom homes that are designed specifically for multigenerational families. Some designs include multiple ‘Master’ bedroom and bath; a separate Suite with its own bedroom, bath, living room and kitchenette; or an apartment with a separate entrance, built over a garage or a free-standing guest house.
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The following floor plan is one such design which features a split layout with a complete In-Law/Guest Suite that includes a bedroom with a walk-in closet, bath with a walk-in shower, a kitchenette and living room plus access to the covered patio.
When designing a multigenerational home we can also incorporate ‘Age In Place’ features that make it easier for a family member using a walker or wheelchair to get around. A few of these features include: zero step entries, wider doorways, lever door handles, grab bars in showers, lower walls switches, smooth non-slip flooring, and much more.
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At Platinum Custom Home Builders, we understand the needs of multigenerational households to have unique spaced carved out just for them. We can build a custom home that provides you with financial benefits, flexibility, and convenience to support your loved ones for years to come.