Last-minute Gifts to Keep Elders Safe at Home

Mike Kephart­

about 3 years ago

I just finished reading the comments that have come following the original posting about Payback for the support that our parents gave us. The thing that struck me in all of these comments is the black and white choices everyone has struggled with, Move mom in with us or not. nobody has discussed other housing alternatives, many of which probably would be better for some families than bringing a parent into the same house with your family. Assisted living is very expensive at $3,000 to $6,000 per month and may be inappropriate for a healthy senior. Independent living facilities can be somewhat less expensive and offer a rich palate of social interaction opportunities that could be just the thing for some individuals. There are also an endless variety of small group homes that can be found in your neighborhood. Just ask around, they don't often advertise. These could be less expensive but safe and socially more suited to your loved one. Finally a solution we offer with our Sidekick homes accessory dwelling units is a cottage in your backyard. These cottages can provide independence for a senior while safely under your watchful eye. The separate nature of an Accessory Dwelling versus an addition or worse yet putting father in a spare bedroom is the key to the success of this alternative housing form. Add up the cost of each alternative housing type and compare for yourself. The $36,000 to $72,000 per year spent on assisted living can go a long way in paying for one of the other housing alternatives at a fraction of that amount. You can even buy that cottage in the backyard with the savings in just two or three years and have a fine rental house or guest suite when mom or dad move on. Mike Kephart