Picture your dream home. Is it a traditional single-family home designed for a conventional nuclear family? Or does your idea of home include extended family — sharing responsibilites, creating lasting memories, and retiring with ease?
Sources: athome | AO
If so, you’re not alone. There’s a new housing arrangement that’s steadily gaining in popularity across the country: multi-generational homes. The number of people who live in multi-generational households quadrupled between 1971 and 2021, now representing 18% of the U.S. population.
Multigenerational living isn’t for everyone, but many families who live with a range of ages under one roof wouldn’t have it any other way. Imagine waking up each morning in your dream home surrounded by loved ones, as if your family vacation never ends...
Emotional Support and Companionship | Sharing a home means companionship is built in. That’s especially important for elderly residents, as a number of studies have demonstrated a link between longevity and social interaction. Having grandparents at home also saves on childcare costs, so it’s a win-win!
Shared Memories | As people age, they may feel inclined to spend more time with children and grandchildren. This lifestyle allows elders to become involved with day to day living and create memories and deeper connections with the people that matter
most.
Designing for Multi-Generational Living
You’ll want to think long-term if your household includes multiple generations. For older family members, this means a home that’s easy to navigate.
As you design your home, think creatively about how different areas can be used for these purposes. Think about each resident’s hobbies and interests to make the house feel more like a home for everyone. Do you love gardening? Create a home that brings the outdoors in with expansive windows or doors that open onto a deck or patio. Do you like to hike or fish? Buy a property with easy access to the mountains so you can help create lasting memories with your grandchildren.
A strong focus on universal design has helped baby boomers build homes that allow them to gracefully age in place. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, people are more likely to use their golden years checking off their bucket list and spending time with family.
This means different things to different people, You may want to downsize and spend more of your resources on luxuries you can now afford, or create a home base with room for the whole family. You may want to build a legacy that can be passed down to your children and their children.
Curious about the possibilities for your own home?
Call 518-734-6700 to speak with Liz about exploring them, or book your free Q+A call below:
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