The classic Granny Flat

So you parents have been there for you through thick and thin.  At these later years of their life isn’t it a great time to consider what you might be able to provide in return.  Typically most people moving into the aged care facility are not doing so voluntarily (or even knowingly), however there is a large part of active independent life that can be lived before that stage.  Some benefits that a combined family home solution may offer could include:-

  • independence without the maintenance of the large family home
  • proximity to grand-kids and family support
  • checks for medication and simple errands without being intrusive
  • a neighborhood/ community that is familiar and know
  • care of pets and gardens without the need for professional external services

In our experience there are possibly 3 key areas of an older couples lives that can be enhanced with a well designed and appointed relatives apartment.

Social support

Interactions with the chemist, baker and local storeowner

So all those lifestyle and memories of an established network of support.  The Saturday morning routine of wandering to your local store to purchase milk and a newspaper has such a grounding effect.  For you gardeners out there tending to your own produce and seeing the cycle of the seasons is brilliant.  It is tumultuous to see this separation at a stage when choices are removed by medical, or other life changing events.  Lets consider a gradual simplification of our life rather than staying too long in housing that is inappropriate.  Going for the simpler housing of a granny flat could reduce the maintenance and running costs without having to impact on the social life.

Design Support

So do you really need that bath or stairs?

Now we are talking about a granny flat these are a purpose designed solution.  The requirement for baths and stairs is possibly not required and the occasional support getting around might be useful.  Layout can be reduced to a simple effective size rather than chasing your tail through a huge home that takes a mountain of mopping and sweeping to keep it clean.  Large wide halls and doorways with no steps help to reduce the changes of falls in the home and help your parents enjoy a quality of life on their terms.

Finance Support

Your parents have paid taxes during a full working career

Understanding that there are many benefits at this later stage of life that your parents are entitled to.  They have paid taxes for years and now should have their financial affairs structured to maximize their benefits.  In some instances transferring property is the right answer in other instances it isn’t however planning is always the better answer than being forces in a crisis situation to decide on these big topics is not going to enable the best answers to be implemented.  A granny flat can be part of a great solution giving both you and your parents some options that enhance their financial position.