You’ve decided to ask for a building permit to design a granny flat for your parents. But, instead of the joy and excitement you expected, you found out that your parents are not as enchanted by the idea as you thought they would be. What are you going to do next to solve the issue?
Ultimately, there might be a thousand reasons why your parents dislike the idea of a granny flat. After all, it is a delicate subject to discuss with them. So, it’s important to make sure you’ve kept them in the loop during the decision process. Whether they are worried about losing their independence by living next to you, or whether you need to accommodate for their health, sometimes a granny flat is not the best option. Instead, you need to understand how to best support your aging parents without losing the advantages of a self-contained area on your property.
If you are wondering how to make the most of your granny flat while respecting your parents’ wishes, here are some ideas on how to best progress together. You need to remember that growing old is not an easy process. So be patient and understanding to smooth any unnecessary frictions between your parents and yourself.
They want to be part of a community
Your parents may still be active and outgoing. Leaving their home to live on your property could affect not only their lifestyle but their needs for social interactions. That’s precisely where the concept of +55 Apartments within a planned community can be a game-changer. Indeed, the idea is to be part of a senior community that provides all the essential elements for a healthy lifestyle. Indeed, seniors who can stay active and socially engaged in their community are less likely to struggle with degenerative and handicapping health disorders. On the other hand, forcing them to live outside of their community in a granny flat could accelerate the risks of dementia and depression. Additionally, the community tends to combine all necessary expenses, from taxes to insurance, in only one fee, which makes it easier to manage.
They are not independent anymore
You need to discuss the matter of independence with your parents. Indeed, not everybody grows old in the same way. Some people can experience handicapping issues, both physical and mental, that threaten their independent lifestyle. Therefore, it is indispensable to plan the golden years together. You need to be aware of their problems to make sure you can help them to find the most appropriate housing option. When living alone isn’t suitable anymore, you may find that senior living communities can’t provide the level of nursing care they need. Instead, in-home care or skilled nursing accommodations could be a better option for your parents. Ideally, professional medical assistants can help you to define the level of care that is required, as well as find dedicated local facilities.
I want to care for their needs
You may want to look after your aging parents at home. Being a caregiver, however, can be one of the toughest things you’ll ever do. It isn’t a decision to take lightly. More importantly, it’s not the kind of paths you can choose without training and support. Ultimately, caring for your parents is stressful, so you need to understand how to look after yourself without neglecting their needs. Additionally, you have to be realistic about what you can and can’t do. Hiring an in-home caregiver can help you to maintain your lifestyle or your day-to-day job, for instance. Besides, if your parent requires dedicated medical assistance – such as injections or regular checks – you might find a nurse is better suited to the task than you are! Finally, make sure to keep your parents engaged in social activities to help them stay socially and emotionally fit.
They want to stay in their home
It might sound surprising, but weak physical health is no sign that your parents shouldn’t maintain their independent lifestyle. Indeed, you can help them to stay at home for longer by adjusting their house to their senior needs. Switching doorknobs for handles can make a significant difference for people with arthritis, for instance. Indeed, rounded handles are difficult to use for people with joint pains and mobility issues. Similarly, you can also transform their staircase with a handrail for mobility and support. If they struggle to climb the stairs, the addition of a chairlift can help them to navigate between floors smoothly and effortlessly. More often than not, simple changes can give your parents many more years in their home, which can help them to maintain their lifestyle and their mental agility for longer.
You can rent out the flat
Ultimately, what should happen with your granny flat? If the annex is already built, you can put it on the market as a rental. Places such as Airbnb are ideal for short and long-term rentals. However, make it your priority to decorate the place and give it a personality, if you’re going to make it a profitable source of income. Hire a painter to give your walls a fresh coat of paint, while you can look for the best furniture units at your local IKEA. Additionally, it’s a good idea to get a professional photographer to snap pictures of your property. Your images are designed to sell the property online, so the better they look, the easier it will be!
They are moving out: Help to sell their home
Lastly, when your parents are ready to move out – to a retirement home or maybe to your granny flat after all –, you can step in to assist them with the sale of their property. It can be an emotional journey, for yourself and your parents, to say goodbye to the house of your childhood. Therefore, it’s best to work closely with a realtor who can not only negotiate the best price for the property but also focus on the administrative tasks while you deal with the emotional journey. Additionally, a realtor can help you to find professional declutterers, painters, and other experts who can assist in making the house market-ready.
Building a granny flat is a substantial investment, so it can be disappointing when you discover that your parents don’t want to move in. However, your investment wasn’t in vain. You can rent it out while you help your parents figure out the most suitable option for their levels of dependence and medical needs.
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Thoughtful and well-written. A lot to think about. I don’t have any living parents or in-laws but I often hear from friends who are in a quandary about what to do with the old folks. It’s complicated to disturb the ecosystem, which includes all of the above and sometimes more. Which child ends up with the responsibility for the parents? Which set of parents of a couple gets priority? What if that social network involves a romantic/sexual partner that they haven’t told you about? Just a few of the questions. Your main point is very well taken: don’t assume that just because you’ve created a nest for them out of your fantasies, that they’ll like it and be grateful.
You are spot on! My mother lived with us in a separate addition to our house for 10 years before she died. She was VERY independent but the first 3-4 months were horrible – for the both of us! We didn’t really realize how it would affect the both of us initially and neither of us really thought about how these changes would play out! It was a huge change in both of our lives. Your advice was very informative to others planning a move like this. This DOES affect EVERYONE and EVERYONE needs to respect feelings! Make sure you have ground rules going in! GO NATIONALS!!! (a Maryland resident!)
Did you give up redoing furniture?
Hi Sue, I am concentrating on other projects and not doing a whole lot of furniture redoing lately. Sorry!