All of us enjoy having a degree of independence, and we may experience that independence from the time we are young until we are much older. Sometimes, however, it may be necessary for that independence to be monitored, and it is typically for our own good. It is true when we are young children but it is also true when we get older and may need some assistance from our family.
There is now a brilliant solution that allows you to keep your elderly parents nearby, even if you don’t have enough space in your home. It prevents them from having to go into a nursing home and offers them a degree of independence but at the same time, helps to overcome loneliness because they are close to you. They are known as MEDCottages, sometimes also known as “Granny Pods.”
These little homes may be coming at just the right time, because the population of elderly individuals is growing rapidly. As our parents and grandparents get older, we want them to have many advantages in life but we want to ensure that they are safe as well.
When you look at a Granny Pod, it will put you in mind of a guesthouse. Inside, it has some nursing home amenities that help to care for your aging parents. You can purchase them for your loved ones at a price that ranges from $85,000-$125,000.
The cottages are approximately 12 x 24 feet, similar to the size of a large master bedroom. There are three different styles available, the MEDCottage, Classic and Grand. The square footage ranges from 299 to 605 square feet.
These unique homes can fit in most backyards, provided it is zoned for it. They can also be built from the ground up.
On the interior, you will find some medical equipment, making it similar to a nursing home. It includes a video monitoring system, handrailing and a soft floor.
These tiny homes are also compliant for handicapped individuals, so someone could easily get around inside in a wheelchair. There is also a virtual companion included, playing messages to remind the occupant take their medication and to provide other reminders.
Some people may question if having a virtual companion and a video monitoring service would make the family simply ignore the elderly family member, thinking that they were being cared for by their home. In reality, the opposite is probably true. It gives them a degree of independence and helps to keep them in a safe location. The video monitoring service can easily allow family members to keep an eye on their loved ones.
Of course, there may come a time when additional help is necessary, and they may not be as independent as when they first moved into the Granny Pod. There is also a lot to be said for personal interaction, and most elderly people would certainly welcome visits from their family.
The Granny Pod can provide a welcome solution, allowing them to live nearby and offering the degree of independence. When the family is there to provide any additional help that they need, it is a solution that can benefit everyone.
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