When families struggle with finding a place for the grandparents to live out their retirement days, the options aren’t many and plenty of them are quite complicated.
Full-service homes tend to be expensive and may not suit the budget of every family. And, paired with the guilt that family members feel about living their aging loved one elsewhere often leads to the grandparents moving in with the kids and the adults.
However, what happens if the size of the home or the family’s lifestyle doesn’t agree with this type of arrangement?- A new trend known as the granny pod may come to the rescue.
Granny Pods: Perfect Way to Have Your Elderly Near You
Granny pods are basically in-law cottages or in-law apartments. These detached tiny homes enable grandparents to remain close to their families, while still having privacy and giving the rest of the family the needed privacy.
This solution offers the ideal balance-they still have their own space, yet can always call their family next door when they need something. The family members have peace of mind knowing that they can step in when their grandparents need them because they’re 100 meters apart.
And, when it’s the holiday season or a birthday celebration, they can all be together without any worries.
Granny pods are modified guest houses that keep the caregivers close to the aging elderly. They’re also known as ADUs or accessory dwelling units.
They’re designed with optimal accessibility and safety, including floors that aren’t slippery, big and wide doors, and rounded countertops.
Some options even offer high-tech medical extras.
Where to Purchase or Rent a Granny Pod?
There are cabin kits you can order off of Amazon or buy pre-fabricated ones from MEDCottage.
Today, there are numerous granny pod options. The MEDCottage, a portable hospital room, is a free-standing pod that’s designed for installation in backyards and can be purchased or rented.
They’re bungalow-like on the outside and the structure includes 288 square feet of space, as well as a kitchenette, a bathroom, and a bed.
The safety features involve defibrillators, hand railings, first aid, lighted floors, and a soft floor that reduces the injury in case of falls. There are double French doors that can accommodate wheelchairs and any other medical equipment if necessary.
Buyers can pick between three kit styles and floorplans and families can install them on their own or hire a professional. Another company that specializes in aging homes is FabCab.
Their granny pods are designed with accessibility in mind, from the outdoor patio to the bathroom.
Are Granny Pods Legal?
These dwellings are attached to the home’s existing power, water, and sewer lines so there’s a need of getting all the building approvals that local agencies require.
And, the zoning laws in a specific area may have different rules in terms of land that can be covered by structures. This is why you should always ensure the intended uses of the granny pod are cleared before you buy it.
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