Few family commitments in life are greater than ensuring that our parents feel comfortable in their golden years - but the options can be daunting. The search for a high-quality nursing home can feel overwhelming, as can the price. You may be able to share your home with your parents as a solution - or this option may be a non-starter due to space constraints or other obstacles.
Especially if you are a member of the sandwich generation, you may recognize yourself in this scenario and may be looking for an alternative setup - and a grandma pod may be the answer you were looking for.
What is a grandma capsule?
So-called grandma pods are essentially only guest houses on the property of a residence - only with a special design to meet the needs of older residents. The Washington Post notes that Some of these extras could include an elevator that helps the occupant move between the bed and the bathroom; a video camera system to monitor the room (it can be placed at ground level to provide privacy, but also an additional level of security); and intelligent devices such as a toilet for measuring temperature, weight and urine content. Other safety features of the lower technology may include railings, softer floors to cushion falls, and first aid measures.
You may have heard similar rooms commonly referred to as parents-in-law or ADUs (additional housing units). Or maybe you've actually heard of that MEDCottage, designed by Virginia-based N2Care with Virginia Tech. Think of them as having state-of-the-art hospital-like features on the inside and a charming feel on the outside, so you can install them in the back yard behind your main house if the zoning laws in your region allow it. Each has a footprint of approximately 12 by 24 feet (approximately 288 square feet in total) and includes a small kitchen, bedroom, accessible bathroom, and visiting area.
The company produces three varieties. The Living ROO should fit in the garage. HD monitors are framed as windows with a corresponding HD camera outside to create the illusion of window views. The mother ship is designed on a mobile home platform and can be set up in 90% of communities across the country. And the redesigned MEDCottage Classic, which comes in a kit that you can assemble yourself or hire a local contractor. (This is currently only available in Virginia.)
Other companies also offer ready-made housing products like these with functions to support aging residents and people with medical needs. Based in Seattle FabCab produces home jerseys from 300 square feet. According to AARP, The Home Store also offers custom ADUs.
What does a grandma capsule cost?
According to The week, These huts start at around $ 85,000However, you have to budget around $ 125,000 if you are considering an installation. And that is certainly a big investment. However, keep in mind that the alternatives - assisted living or nursing homes - are also associated with considerable prices. CNBC quotes Qualified care costs were nearly $ 93,000 ... each year. (Although Medicaid can pay the bill for many residents.)
Are Grandma pods legal in the U.S.
You need to look at local zoning laws to determine if a grandma capsule is legal for you or not. The zoning laws may dictate whether you can have an ADU on your property and how much total area on your land can be covered by a structure.
Of course, you can face additional obstacles if you are part of a homeowners association and are bound by its rules, or if you are near certain parks or water catchment areas for which you need to apply for a derogation or special permit.
AARP notes some additional legal considerations: Contact your local electricity, sewage, or water authority for approval. And also check the septic tank. Adding an ADU with your own kitchen and bathroom can result in your system no longer meeting the requirements and needing to be updated.
While you may need to request a departure or special exception from local regulations, and it may take some time, AARP notes that most of these potential obstacles do not disqualify you immediately. So if you think a granny sleeve is right for you, stay tuned.
