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Adding Space to Your Home for a Relative

Thu, Jul 8th, 2021

Adding Space to Your Home for a Relative

Our population is aging. In 2019, about 16.5 percent of the American population was 65 years old or older. As people age and tasks become more difficult, many people are opting to remain in their home instead of moving to an assisted living facility or nursing home.

Many older adults are unable to take care of an entire home plus many do not live near their adult children so they are too far away to help. With these two obstacles, there is a trend of older parents moving in with their adult children.

Many adults have their own established family and space can be tight when it comes to adding a parent or other older family member into their home who requires some assistance. One good way to keep everyone happy is to have a mother-in-law suite or apartment added to your home.

Benefits of Adding a Mother-In-Law Suite or Apartment to Your Home

There are benefits to adding an apartment or suite addition to your home including:

  • Added value to your home - The size and design of the addition will determine the added value.
  • More privacy for your family and family member - When you add an extra living space to your home for your relative, they can have their own personal space and you and your family have yours, it provides more privacy and will greatly reduce friction that can occur when everyone doesn't have their own space.
  • Having your relative close by makes it easier to help as needed - With an older parent or relative nearby, it is more convenient to help assist when needed plus you can still keep a close eye on them without impinging on their life.
  • Your parent or family member can still feel independent - With their own space, it helps them feel like they still have some degree of control over their life and that is important as time marches on.

As people get older they may lose the ability to drive, have decreased mobility and strength and need more assistance with tasks than they ever did before. It is important to set them up for success so they can feel like they still have some level of independence. This can be accomplished by creating a space that can accommodate your older family member as they age.

There are many things to consider when choosing to add a mother-in-law suite or an apartment addition to your home. Our staff at South Florida Architecture utilizes their expansive knowledge of design, engineering and ergonomics to put together a concept, and floor plan design that will bring it to life. Whatever your vision, we aim to capture it aesthetically without compromising structural integrity.

Give us a call and Let's Get Started! (239) 777-0616



Sources: statista.com, AARP.org