Having to rehome a beloved pet to move into a care facility is emotionally difficult, and this option ensures it doesn’t have to happen. Long-term care facilities don’t allow residents to keep pets, but living in a granny pod means seniors can keep their furry friends. While it’s not exactly cheap to buy or build a granny pod, it’s a much more cost-effective option than spending $5,000 to $7,000 per month on long-term assisted living facility care. The small size of granny pods and built-in accessibility features make it easier for seniors to get around and enjoy their home, not just parts of it. As mobility decreases, the areas an aging adult can safely navigate may get smaller. Granny pods provide the benefit of togetherness while allowing more privacy for both parties. In fact, research finds that 45% of Americans 55 to 65+ currently live with their children. That’s a challenge when living together in the same house.
Whether you’re the parent or the adult child, we all need our privacy at times. A granny pod offers the perfect compromise for a parent who likes to maintain their own home or is reluctant to move into a long-term care facility. As important as social support is, most of us crave some independence, whether we’re 8 or 80. That’s important because adequate social support improves quality of life and reduces depression and anxiety. Living in a unit near family members increases seniors’ access to social support from family. Should an emergency occur, they can quickly get help. With a granny pod on the property, someone is close to monitoring the health of the parent. While many like the idea of a granny pod to keep loved ones close and ensure their safety, there are a few drawbacks to buying or living in one. Next, let’s look at some of the benefits and drawbacks of buying or living in a granny pod. We’ll talk more about these additional features below under Granny Pod Safety Features. Depending on the medical needs of a person living in a granny pod, additional features and devices can be added for safety and health. These include bathing, preparing meals, checking the mail, or getting into bed. At the same time, they reduce the amount of space a senior has to navigate and walk through to complete daily tasks. The units are designed to be as comfortable and home-like as possible while increasing accessibility. These units usually incorporate universal design, making them accessible for everyone regardless of age, disability, or size. While granny pods seem simple, there’s a lot of thought put into the details. Their small size is another reason they’re a good fit for mobility-challenged adults. Typically, these dwellings will have anywhere from 300 to 500 square feet.īecause they are built or placed on a family member’s property, granny pods usually connect to and use the main house’s sewer, water, gas, and electricity.
Granny pods are among the many types of tiny houses (dwellings with less than 1,000 square feet). We’ll cover everything, including pros and cons, average cost, where to buy them, where they’re allowed, and special features. This guide covers everything you need to know about granny pods. If you’re considering buying a granny pod for a parent or just want to learn more about these units, keep reading. By adding a granny pod to the backyard, adult children and their families can be close by. They also provide a viable option for seniors who can’t afford to live in long-term care facilities. Or, for those wanting to downsize their home. They’re a unique solution for seniors who don’t feel comfortable living alone but want to maintain their independence. Many have additional features that make them safer for adults with mobility or vision problems. They are tiny houses designed for seniors and offer all the comforts of home close to their families. Granny pods are small accessory dwellings that allow aging parents to live independently on the same property as their adult children. The information included in this post is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal or financial advice. We may earn a commission when you click our links. Read on to learn how these homes offer big living from a tiny space.ĭisclaimer: REthority is supported by ads and participation in affiliate programs. Ever heard of a granny pod? These tiny accessory dwelling units are gaining traction as home prices climb and parents downsize.