Living options to live life to the fullest, live harmoniously with family and minimize financial burden.
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As the sharing economy and shared housing continue their upward trend, some aging adults may also benefit from the trend. Like anything, there will be challenges and rewards to consider. Here are just some ideas:
- Intentional communities or Senior Co-housing: communities where they have shared interest or values. These communities can have various stipulations for membership and responsibilities or levels of sharing resources. They can also serve as an opportunity for an older adult to develop meaningful relationships in their neighborhood and community
2. Roommates or “Golden Girl” style living: finding roommates to live with or the older adult can stay in their own home and rent out rooms. Special attention and effort may need to be given in order to find suitable and responsible roommates with similar or tolerable life styles. However, close friendships and having someone else in the home can be valuable. Living with others may decrease financial burdens, but it is also important to financially plan for potential vacancies as well.
3. “Adult Foster Homes”: Homes where multiple older adults that need some type of assistance live together with 1-2 caregivers to provide assistance. Each adult typically has their own room and some privacy, but also has a caregiver (sometimes non-medical) to provide assistance as needed. Many places have the caregivers make the meals and the group can chose to eat together. It gives outlets for socialization and friendship as well. While these are more popular in some specific regions than others, I have seen several older adults thrive in these situation when taking the time and energy to find a good fit!
4. Provide a room in exchange for a caregiver or handy person: Some people are willing to provide caregiving services or maintain a home or the land if someone has a large estate in exchange for free rent. Note, each contract and agreed upon services for rent may vary. If seeking a 2 hour caregiver, you may need to also hire a respite caregiver to avoid burnout. Additional, details such as payment for utilities, rules about guests, pets, etc. will need to be addressed. As a previous companion and caregiver, I have definitely seen this work and allow people to stay in their own homes, so it’s a worthwhile option to explore!
5. Village Model: Local neighborhood networks assist with supporting others in need with transportation, meals, etc. You can search or start a village with this website.
6. Live on a cruise ship: It is possible! You have meals and toiletries provided and plenty of entertainment. You can read and watch a video about a woman who made it happen here.
7. Recreational Vehicle Living: Live at various RV sites. While there is RV maintenance, hopefully it is less maintenance than keeping a home! The cost of the RV and RV site reservation vs. a mortgage, homeowners insurance, capital expenses and routine maintenance must be considered. The older adults ability to drive an RV and overall health condition must also be considered. I have certainly known older adult couples that do this and are enjoying their golden years!
8. Live in a country with a lower cost of living: many retirees live abroad for financial reasons and to stretch their savings.
Every situation is unique and a little creativity and thinking outside the box could be the solution!
Creative Family Living Situations
9. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): additional “tiny house” on the same property. Allows family members to quickly check on older adults and older adults to join for meals and activities while everyone still has a sense of their own space. Must consider zoning restrictions. Consider older adult may need more assistance later, but it could also be used as a guest house or short term rental if local law allows.
10. “Mother in law suite”: a private or semi-private living area. It was worth noting that if you plan on moving soon and have an aging parent, you may want to consider this when purchasing your next home.
11. Recreation Vehicle (RV) Living: Because RVs are not always accessible, I have seen adult children live in the RV near their aging family member to have their own space, but come over to prepare meals in the older adults home and spend time with them as needed during the day.
12. Duplex: Having the aging adult and the family next door can allow for some piece of mind, quick assistance and quality time together without feeling like they are intruding on each other’s space.
Note with any of the above options, it is important to consider that needs and circumstances may change over time and it would be wise to also have a long term plan. For example, renting the ADU, mother in law suite or other side of the duplex to support funding a higher level of care when that time comes. Only purchasing an RV or similar if your long term plan involves using it for travel, although there are also options to rent out your RV now as well.
Be creative, but be realistic and think long term to maximize flexibility and minimize stress!
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By continuing with this site, you are agreeing that you acknowledge and understand this disclaimer in full and will not hold Aging Uniquely, parent companies or content creators liable for the information or use of information on this site because everyone ages uniquely and has unique needs. The content on Aging Uniquely sites is for general information purposes only and Aging Uniquely does not provide medical or health advice. It is not a substitute for medical or health professional advice and you should never ignore professional medical advice or delay seeking emergency care because of something you read on the Aging Uniquely website or social media platforms. If you are experiencing a medical emergency call 911 or seek emergency services. Aging Uniquely is not responsible for what may happen if you use their information in place of medical or professional advice. You are responsible for your own health and safety or how you apply this advice to adults/older adults you support. I highly recommend you consult the proper qualified medical or health profession before implementing any information from Aging Uniquely or other health related websites.