It’s not uncommon in many cultures for several generations of a family to live together. Parents getting older, adult children moving back, and grandparents raising grandchildren.
There are many reasons why families share one dwelling. Making the home work for everyone might require a bit of planning and adjusting. Here are a few ways that you can adapt your home for several generations.
Make Room for All
Just because you all grew up together doesn’t mean that you don’t need privacy. Making space for everyone will go a long way in keeping everyone happy.
Finishing the basement and making a few rooms can be ideal for giving everyone their own space. Separate bedrooms, bathrooms, and even cooking areas give people a sense of their own home.
If you have a few larger rooms, you can divide them into smaller rooms. These might be perfect for children, teens, and even storage. As long as the rooms still have a window, it can work well.
If you have a garage, then you can build up on the top to add a complete apartment. You can also add a few rooms if needed, as you have the whole space to use as you like.
Spread Out
If your home is already small, you can add to it. Building up or out can mean a lot more space, even double. Adding an extension to the sides or back of the home can give you several more rooms.
Going up is also a great way to increase your living space. An additional floor means you are doubling your floor space, adding a few bedrooms, a small apartment, or several smaller suites.
A guest house is a very popular way to add family members. These can be a complete home with all the amenities needed and still provide privacy and keep them close at the same time.
Separate Entrances
Add an extra door at the back or side of the home. This means people can come and go as they please without disrupting the rest of the household.
People may work shifts, need deliveries, or even home care. This allows them the privacy to get on with their own lives without everyone else getting involved.
Accessibility
In many cases, when generations live together, it is because seniors need some help. It’s important that you find ways to make sure they are able to move about the home and access all the places they need.
Wider halls and doorways to accommodate a wheelchair or walker. Accessible bathrooms, including bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks, and toilets.
Adding ramps to the outside of the home and in, if needed, plus stair or chairlift to ensure people can move about at their will. People need to see in the mirror, access taps, and be able to reach cupboards, countertops, and appliances.
Making kitchens and bathrooms accessible allows people the freedom and independence they need to feel they are not a burden. All members of the family need to be taken into consideration.
Smart Features
Technology makes everyone’s life easier. Incorporating smart technology in the home means that everyone can access everything they need. Not only does it allow people to run the home remotely or with applications while in the home, but you can also monitor what is going on remotely, as well.
This is ideal for those who have people in the home who may need assistance but others need to work outside of the home. Voice-activated systems and apps mean people can function independently. You can see who is coming in and leaving, make sure everyone is safe inside the home, and even communicate with them remotely.
A medical alert system is one of the most effective ways to ensure peace of mind in a multigenerational home. Although living together provides some level of supervision, you can’t always be there for your loved ones. With a medical alert system, you can rest easy knowing that help is just a button press away, available 24/7.