Among the top 5 models evaluated, there were common features with one another. All of the top rated units offer these key benefits:

• Ease of installation
• Low initial prices and affordable monitoring programs
• Fast, efficient and well-trained support staff
• Ease of cancellation in the event of dissatisfaction
• Small, waterproof pendant or bracelet monitors
• Numerous additional options that may be desirable

Based on Our Research, These Are The 5 Top Rated Medical Alert Systems:

1 – Bay Alarm Medical

Bay Alarm Medical alert system combines the best aspects of simple, efficient monitoring with impressive performance and support. The Bay Alarm system’s pendant or wristband monitors are both conveniently small and have an operating range of 1000 feet. The units can even be worn outdoors as long as the wearer remains within the operating range of the system. Customer service has the capability to respond effectively in an incredible 170 different languages.

Installation is breeze and a “no technician needed” is part of the sales message for this company. Plug the unobtrusive monitor into a phone line and electrical outlet is as hard as gets to get this reliable system in place.

2 – Lifefone Personal Response Systems

Lifefone Medical Alert System is a long-term provider of this type of device for the elderly, and has been in business since 1976. This is a system that also has an operating range of 1000 feet. This company offers a system that is simple to move when traveling or relocating. A simple call to their response center alerts them to your location.

The Lifefone support center personnel are considered among the best in the industry. They are staffed with well-trained emergency care specialists. Further, they keep a detailed profile of every patient with instructions concerning which relatives or loved are to be contacted in emergencies, the type of medical conditions known to exist, and which medications are taken. These records are all carefully maintained.

3 – LifeStation

Medical Alert System Review Top Choice
Life Station Medical Alarm System company is another highly regarded monitoring sales and support organization which has been in operation since 1977. Two support specialists answer all incoming calls. One individual stays on the line with the elderly client and assesses the situation, while the other contacts the appropriate emergency services. Every support specialist is an employee of LifeStation and 160 hours of training is required before placed in the response center. All calls are answered within 30 seconds of receipt.

The LifeStation units are high quality and easy to install. They lack the range of the former two providers and are effective at distances of up to 400 feet from the monitoring unit. The main unit has a 32 hour emergency backup in the event of a power outage.

4 – Alert1 Medical Alert System

The strength of the Alert1 Medical Alert system is their highly rated UL listed monitoring center. One of the most appealing aspects of the home system is the high powered alert console, which has large easy to see features and excellent volume so that both parties can hear each other clearly. The console has a large emergency button which places the client in nearly immediate contact with a well trained support staff member.

Ease of installation of all equipment is again a hallmark with this company. A nice touch with the Alert1 system is the ability to answer phone calls from the pendant. In low battery conditions, the monitoring center calls clients to ensure they replace the battery with a new one. The console has an operating range of 600 feet and is powerful enough to receive signals from outside the home.

5 – Rescue Alert

Rescue Medical Alert Systems rounds out the top five senior monitoring systems. The strength of the Rescue Alert system is in its powerful monitoring unit which has an impressive 90 hour battery backup system. The console is among the better ones available with a range of 600 to 1000 feet. The pendant or wristband can have soft touch buttons fitted for ease of pressing and notification.

The Rescue Alert offers a 30 day free home trial to make sure it is the right system for the client. This is not a usual or customary offer from most of the companies in this industry.

The call center attendees with this company are all PMD certified. This is the very same training all 911 operators must go through before being activated. Responders at the center can also offer services such as personalized daily calling to remind elderly patients to take medications at prescribed times. They also conduct battery and system tests monthly to make certain their systems are operating at optimum levels.

Signs It May Be Time To Move Your Parent in with You

Every family and every parent is different, and it’s not always easy to tell when the time is right to invite your parent to live with you. Although his or her safety has a lot to do with this intensely personal decision, it is also important to consider your parent’s emotional stake in his or her current residence and weigh that against the possible risks of staying there. You don’t want to your parent to come to any physical harm, but neither do you want to damage or traumatize him or her emotionally.

Ultimately, as long as your elderly parent is of sound mind, the final decision on the matter will be up to him or her. At this stage, your job is simply to help your parent make the right decision.

Physical Considerations

If your elderly parent has recently had an accident or even a number of close calls, it may be time for him or her to move in with you. If an accident happens while he or she is living alone, it may take far too long for anyone to become aware of the situation and for help to arrive.

Social Considerations

Living alone can often be a source of social isolation for an elderly parent. If your parent has plenty of friends that regularly visit, this may be less of a concern. If, on the other hand, he or she spends practically his or her entire life alone behind closed doors, this may be another incentive to invite him or her to live in your home.

A shriveled social life can also lead to greater vulnerability to stress-related health conditions, specifically heart problems. Moving in with you could actually help improve your aging parent’s health.

Maintenance Considerations

Sometimes even the mundane tasks of daily living can become difficult for an elderly parent to manage on his or her own. Cooking can become a nearly insurmountable object. Doing the laundry can take hours, and shopping can take days.

If you notice that your aging parent’s house is beginning to look dirty and unkempt, this may be a sign that it is time to invite him or her to live with you. This also applies to your parent’s personal appearance. If your usually meticulous parent is beginning to look somewhat disheveled, he or she may welcome the invitation to live in your home where help and care will be much more readily available.

Medication Considerations

If your parent is on a specific medication plan but often forgets to take the pills at the proper time, this may be another contributing factor in your deciding to invite him or her to live with you. Having your aging parent stay in the spare room can help you make sure he or she is faithful to take his or her daily meds.

When showering becomes a challenge due to illness, limited strength or mobility, a roll-in shower can be the perfect solution. Roll-in showers are designed as an open stall with no curb so that wheelchairs can be rolled in and out easily. The shower floor is level with the bathroom floor, so there is nothing to step over or into. For those who cannot stand, a roll-in shower can provide a convenient way to bathe without assistance from others. For caregivers, roll-in showers make bathing those with upper body limitations or severe disabilities easier.

Who Can a Roll-In Shower Help?

Roll-in showers can make life safer and more pleasant for the elderly, the disabled, those with serious injuries, those recovering from surgery, patients with balance problems, neuromuscular diseases, chronic pain, arthritis, spinal disorders and anyone caring for those who have such challenges. Seniors who are able to stand and walk can still benefit from the barrier-free design of a roll-in shower. It eliminates the need to lift the legs high enough to step over a barrier.

Benefits of a Roll-In Shower

The convenience of being able to roll into a barrier-free shower can give those with physical challenges increased independence. These showers offer easy entry and exit, and they eliminate the risk of bathing-related falls. Various models offer safety grab bars, seating and shelving options. Shower controls are fitted at a level that is easy to reach from a seated position, and a hand-held showerhead is standard.

Superior to Removable Shower Aids

There are several assistive devices on the market that help with bathing. Tub chairs, transfer benches and shower stools are inexpensive options, but they still require some range of motion, and they take a considerable amount of effort and time to use. This may leave bathers exhausted from their hygiene routine instead of refreshed and comfortable. Unlike simple shower walls and floors, these items can be difficult to keep clean. If others in the home also use the shower, seats and benches have to be constantly taken in and out. This is not an issue with a roll-in stall. A roll-in shower is a practical, easily maintained, permanent solution that will not require later additions or replacements.

When to Install a Roll-In Shower

The right time to install this product is often sooner than it is needed. If baby-boomers plan on caring for their elderly parents at home, adding these helpful elements when the house is built or during a renovation is the most practical and economical choice. In the case of a roll-in shower, the product is attractive and fully usable by all members of the family, so it does not create a flaw in the style or decor of the home if installed a few years ahead of time. When it is necessary, it will be there. There will be no transitional use of awkward shower seats or benches needed in the case of sudden illness or mobility issues.

Finding the Right Roll-In

Finding the right style and size of roll-in shower can be easier with the help of your building or remodeling contractor. To get started, obtain the exact measurements of the bathroom where the stall will be placed. There are many different models and brands to choose from. Some are simple one-piece units and others have multiple parts. Some styles can accommodate custom installations. Many roll-in shower products are listed as ADA compliant. Some well-known manufacturers of curbless showers include Accessibility Professionals Inc., Sterling Plumbing, Kohler, Best Bath Systems and others. Check with your supplier or contractor for a full list of available brands and products.

The post war boom in housing produced millions of these homes throughout the country. Significant inventory of these homes exist and thrive today in communities such as Ladue, Olivette, Town & Country, Frontenac, Clayton, and Kirkwood to name just a few in St. Louis County.

Considering The Possibilities

1. Go Green: If a home is in sufficient repairable state, then we are doing the environment and our communities at large a favor by preserving that which took a significant amount of energy and material to build in the first place. In other words this is a sustainable or “green” thing to do. A recent study indicated that a 30% increase in energy efficiency will essentially remain a plus for the environment more than a newly constructed home of similar efficiencies.
2. Give It A Facelift: Many of those ranch homes are easy to renovate compared to homes built early in the century. It often is relatively simple to remove walls and rearrange spaces for a more current life style. The styling of many of these ranch homes is bland if not boring. It can be either a simple and economical face lift or a more ambitious renovation generating a different style suited to the Owner’s taste. In the hands of a skilled Architect, changing the look can often salvage and upgrade a home to a current style and preserve and increase the property value. This also contributes to the neighborhood and community fabric.
3. Add A Second Floor: Many of these homes are built sufficiently strong that they can support a second floor, without a great deal of reinforcing to the existing home. Of course these considerations need to be analyzed by an Architect or Structural Engineer.
4. Upgrades To Save Energy: Often these homes were built simple enough that in the course of renovation, upgrading windows and doors will increase value, styling and energy efficiency. Adding insulation and other weatherization factors is relatively a simple process. There are companies available that provide, for reasonable fees, an energy analysis which will indicate a dollars and cents view of the potential costs and energy savings over a period of time.
5. Aging In Place: There’s little doubt that we have an enormous aging population many of which prefer to stay in a home for the remainder of their years. Living on 1 floor certainly is an advantage in terms of mobility, and these ranch homes suit this situation appropriately. Upgrading kitchens, bathrooms and access issues are in order here.

Shown here are 2 versions of divergent styles as upgrade possibilities for the façade of an existing ranch in Olivette.

Purchasing and Renovating

In this current economic climate it seems prudent to consider purchasing and renovating a ranch. Consultation with an Architect, Engineer and/or a renovation specialist contractor is economical and a smart investment in analyzing the possibilities. Lastly, soliciting input from your real estate agent in regards to the effect of improvements on the value of your project is a smart thing to do.

Below is a before and after picture of a 50’s ranch addition we built for a client in Olivette.

Before

After

Article By:
Alan J.Berkowitz, AIA
Alan is an Architect who has specialized in renovations, additions, facelifts, historic restoration work and new
homes for more than 28 years along with a career in industrial product design. He graduated with degrees
in Architecture and Engineering from the University of Kansas. He and his family have lived in a 50’s ranch
that is a work in progress. berkowitzdesign.com

Different Categories of Aging in Place

The different categories of aging in place include urgent needs, progressive conditions and no urgent needs.

• Urgent needs require immediate changes in the living environment such as universal design or home modifications.
• Progressive conditions are conditions that are not urgent but will become manifest in the future. They include heart or lung disease or diabetes that may cause difficulty in living at a later stage in life.
• No urgent need includes people who do not have any health or mobility issues and prefer to remain in their homes.

What are the Home Modifications needed for Aging in Place?

Homes need to be modified to include conveniences that make everyday living easier for aged people. Falling is one of the most common injuries for aged people and can even cause death. Preventing falls is crucial for a person who would like to age in place. This means support in the bathroom and shower, railings on stairs, no loose throw rugs or obstructed pathways.

Increased lighting and easily accessible switches, nonskid flooring, ramps and sliding shelves are other things that make a home safer. These changes are not expensive and relatively minor. There may be other, more drastic changes that need to be done in some cases such as the installation of a private elevator, adjusting counter top heights and constructing new first floor master suites.

How to Become a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist?

The CAPS training program was created by the Remodelers™ Council of the National Association of Home Builders, in together with the NAHB Research Center, Seniors Housing Council and the Association of the Aging and Retired People. The training includes learning about:

• The needs of older people
• Specific home modifications that support independent living
• The most common types of remodeling required
• The most common obstacles and their solutions

The program also teaches how to make the remodeling aesthetically pleasing as well as obstacle-free for a safe living environment.

How to find Training for CAPS?

There are several places online where candidates can find CAPS training programs including the NAHB website and the AARP website. The program is three days and addresses the technical needs for this specific market as well as the communication skills needed to give the best possible modifications for the customer.

The program also teaches how to market aging in place to increase the number of people who select this option. Many older people may not be aware that there is help available for them to make their homes livable for when they become older and have special needs. Children of aging parents may also not be aware of this option.

After the training program is completed, participants must complete the graduation application and submit it to the NAHB University of Housing. CAPS graduates are not merely home remodelers. They offer a service to the public and take a pledge to uphold a code of ethics. They may retain their certificate only by joining continuing educational programs and participating in community service.

Familiar Surroundings That Become Alien Environments

One of the advantages of aging in place is familiarity with surroundings where seniors live. However, this can be a compromising situation especially if there are physical debilitations. It takes careful planning to arrive at the best solutions and decisions regarding aging in place. Begin planning by discussing the needs of the aging thoroughly. This should start long before decisions become necessary.

Know Their Wishes Beforehand

Most individuals know their wishes for their senior years well before they reach an age when health changes related to normal aging are apparent. Encourage aging relatives early to make their feelings known on to their families and friends who are involved in their planning for their future. This helps make families and friends aware of an aging individual’s wishes.

Adapting To Changes

One of the most difficult issues for most aging seniors is adapting to radical changes in their lives. Creature comforts they’ve come to rely on and the security of familiar surroundings can help retain vigor and mental acuity and may become the basis for maintaining a routine of good health. Introduce change gradually to a aging individual’s living space. This is one way of overcoming elder resistance to necessary changes.

Drawbacks Of Aging In Place

It’s crucial to understand that all individuals, regardless of age, have a basic human need for independence. Aging seniors find the most difficulty with relinquishing their independence and autonomy. Retrofit their living space with all of the safety accessories that make senior lifestyles less hazardous and more secure. However, the issue of whether the aging can maintain adequate personal care can become obscured in their efforts to retain their autonomy and independence. This issue is a main drawback of aging in place that exacerbates over the long term.

Planning For Aging In Place

Families should discuss how much or how little care is adequate with aging relatives. Many of these seniors prefer to manage their own lives without realizing they may be compromising good health. Planning for aging in place should be practical as well as beneficial to all concerned. A plan of action that has the elements of gradual change according to changing health needs is likely to work best when discussed fully. Plan strategies for aging in place for the short term and long term to cover any potential problems that will arise.

Where To Find The Best Resources For Planning

Fortunately, there are a vast supply of resources that assist families with plans for aging in place. Start with local resources that assist with changes to home design needed to assure safety. This might be a senior citizen resource center in a local town, county or state. There are easily accessible statewide resources for most senior citizen needs. Certain private organizations also serve the aging. Some of these organizations are non-profit, while others are not. Choose the resources that best fit the financial situations of the aged.

Resources For Aging In Place

Regular senior citizen transportation is also available through city, county and state subsidies that make travel safe and affordable. Keep this in mind when driving a personal vehicle by the aging is no longer an option. The federal government also can be prevailed upon for assistance through Medicare or Medicaid. The Social Security Administration also offers assistance to seniors in need. Look for an information clearing house for directives or assistance with aging in place. AARP is one such informational group that provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date information.

Aging In Place – A Mutual Choice

Families with aging parents want to insure their golden years are safe and offer maximum quality of life. This takes advance planning. The crux of discussions should focus on arriving at a mutual choice based upon mutual understanding between the aging and their families.

Senior Citizen Living

Sometimes, it is not necessary for an elderly mother to have constant care. She might still be mobile and able to take care of herself. In this case, she might be happiest living in an area that is designated specifically for senior citizen living. Your mother will be able to socialize with people who are all in the same age group and walk of life. This is a positive situation for both you and your mother. Your mother will still feel free and independent, while you can visit her as often as possible.

Assisted Living Complexes

For those mothers who need more help, an assisted living complex is an excellent option. Although an expensive option, those with the means should consider this. Sometimes you can get too busy to properly care for your mother. The people who work at these assisted living establishments get paid to take excellent care of the elderly and ensure that they are healthy and safe at all times. Often, this is better care than you can give your mother at your house. Lives get busy, and truth be told, sometimes mothers can be neglected. If your mother is in poor health, she may get more thorough care at an assisted living complex.

Caregivers

Taking care of an elderly parent can be a fulltime job depending on the health of the parent. As much as you love your mother, providing constant care can breed feelings of resentment. Hiring a caregiver for a few hours a day is a choice that will give you the gift of some free time to run errands or take a warm bubble bath. Caregivers can even be hired to live around the clock with your mother. This provides you with someone who can take care of your mother while you focus on spending quality time with the woman who gave you life.

Ask For Help

You might feel like it is your responsibility to take care of your elderly mother; however, in many families, there are more people willing to help if you ask. Contact any close brothers and sisters, nieces and nephew, or even your children for help. Even if they take a few shifts a week, it will provide you with some time for yourself. Explain that you love taking care of your mother, but you do need some help. Family can be an outstanding resource to utilize.

If you have any resources you found helpful or experiences that you would like to share please do so in the comment section below. I hope this will be a help to someone in need. – Barb

Alzheimer’s disease is different from other types of senility, but it is the most common cause of dementia among senior citizens aged 65 and older. Not everyone gets Alzheimer’s, and it is a disease and not a form of aging. Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, nor is there any way to halt or reverse its progress through the brain.

Causes of Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease

Most cases of Alzheimer’s disease are late-onset, meaning that they affect people aged 65 and older. As of the time of this writing, scientists do not know for sure what factors cause late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The greatest risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease is advanced age. The older a person gets, the more at risk they become for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Those with a family history of Alzheimer’s are more likely to develop late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, which suggests that there may be a hereditary link. However, many people develop late-onset Alzheimer’s disease who do not have a family history of the disease. Scientists believe that one gene, Apolipoprotein E, or ApoE, is linked to late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. People with this gene are more likely to develop late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. This gene comes in three forms: ApoE2, ApoE3, and ApoE4. Approximately 25 percent of Americans have the ApoE4 gene. This gene puts people more at risk for developing late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, some researchers estimate that the ApoE4 gene may be linked to 20 to 25 percent of cases of Alzheimer’s disease. In contrast, approximately 5 percent of Americans have the ApoE2 gene. The presence of this gene seems to protect against developing late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

However, the presence of these genes does not guarantee that the carrier will develop or not develop the illness. For this reason, the ApoE genes are known as “risk” genes. This means that those with the genes may have a greater chance or a lesser chance of developing the illness.

Causes of Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease

In contrast, early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, or Alzheimer’s disease that begins before the age of 65, is strongly linked to certain genes. Because of the strong genetic link, this illness is known as “familial Alzheimer’s disease.” Familial Alzheimer’s disease is rare. It affects only approximately 10 percent of all Alzheimer’s patients. However, the genetic link is so strong that if one parent has early-onset, or familial, Alzheimer’s disease, all of the offspring have a 50 percent chance of developing the illness.

Genes Linked to Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease include the genes that influence the coding of certain proteins. These proteins include: amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin-1 (PS-1) and presenilin-2 (PS-2). The presenilin-1 (PS-1) gene is the gene most often linked to early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Having any of these genes virtually guarantee that the person with genes will develop Alzheimer’s. For this reason, these genes are known as “deterministic genes.”

Will I get Alzheimer’s Disease?

Even if you have deterministic genes for Alzheimer’s disease, you may not contract the illness. Aside from identifying the genes, there is no way to know for sure whether an individual will develop Alzheimer’s disease. Similarly, at the time of this writing, there is no known way to prevent or cure Alzheimer’s disease.

Today, almost a decade later, there are moments when I wish I could just walk out the door and leave her behind. It is awful watching my mother decline, having to clean up after her because she has forgotten how to use the bathroom correctly or chasing her down because she does not want to wear clothes that particular day. It is hard having to tell her the same thing over and over and over, answering the same questions every day, knowing that the answers are entirely new to her, even if they aren’t new to me. It’s overwhelmingly exhausting and it is never-ending.

Dealing With Guilt

I feel guilty for not wanting to deal with her sometimes. She is, after all, my mother and she cared for me when I was a child and just as helpless as she is much of the time now. But I also grieve over the loss of the vibrant and joyful woman of my childhood.

It Feels Like She Is Already Gone

When I look at her, I see a shell of who she was and rage internally at what this terrible illness takes from her a little bit every day. You see, Alzheimer’s is an illness that does not just regress a person to childhood. It actually causes neurological deficits, so from one day, one moment, to the next, a part what made my mother the wonderful person she was is gone. It’s just not there any longer.

I find myself imagining how terrified she must feel at times, waking up, not knowing where she is, who she is and who these strangers are around her and what they want of her. It terrifies me to watch it happening to her, because I also know that with my family history, it could happen to me too. I do my best to comfort her, to help her feel secure and safe. I want her to know that she will always be loved and taken care of, but I am not always sure she understands. In fact, I’m pretty sure that much of the time she does not actually understand at this point.

Caring For An Elderly Family Member

If you are caring for a family member or loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, you probably feel many of the things I have felt in caring for my mother. However, you do not need to carry the burden alone. It is important that you also take care of yourself. You can join support groups through your local hospice and most hospitals now have support groups for family members of dementia patients.

Find Help From Alzheimer Associations

Contact your local Alzheimer’s Association to find out about support groups and respite care. You may find that your loved one qualifies for nursing assistance, even if you are caring for them at home.

Planning For The End Of Life

If your parent of loved one is in the early stages of the illness and is still having periods of time when they are lucid and aware, talk to them honestly about their illness. Ask them what they would like done for their end care and how they want their financial estate settled. Also ask about important documents, such as property deeds, wills and life insurance policies.

Alzheimer’s is a terrible illness. It is difficult to care for someone you love and watch them slowly slip away and disappear while still being alive. If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s find ways to get support yourself and talk to them if at all possible about what they want for the end of their life.

Do you have a story to share about your experiences? Share it in the comment section below and hopefully it could help someone else who is going through it now. – Barb

What Are Mother In law Suites?

Mother-in-law suites are typically entry-level dwellings. Similar to a small or studio apartment, most suites include a bedroom, bathroom, living area and kitchenette. To accommodate the elderly, most secondary suites have safety features such as handrails, walk-in showers and are wheelchair-accessible. Many also offer amenities such as intercom systems, private telephone lines and security features.

Benefits Of Homes With Mother In Law Suites

With baby boomers reaching retirement age, senior care is a growing concern in the Untied States. Many individuals with elderly parents are looking for options concerning the care of their parents. For these individuals, purchasing a home with a mother-in-law suite can be a solution to these concerns. Below are just a few of the many benefits of owning a home with a mother in law suite.

• Nursing Home Alternative -For seniors in relatively good health, mother-in-law suites offer a great alternative to nursing homes or assisted living communities. Senior care can be a significant source of anxiety for family and loved ones. And while nursing homes may be the best option for some, many children of the elderly don’t feel comfortable entrusting their parents’ health, safety and well-being to strangers. By having elderly parents in their homes, children won’t have to worry about the quality of care their loved ones are receiving.
• Privacy - Mother-in-law suits are usually designed to give a fair amount of privacy to the person living there. This is beneficial to many senior citizens who may be reluctant to live with their children. With a mother-in-law suite, elderly parents won’t feel like they’ve become burdens to their family. Secondary suites allow the elderly to retain a good deal of independence, while having family close by provides safety and peace of mind to all parties involved. Having a parent living in a secondary suite in the home can also strengthen family bonds by having multiple generations under one roof.
• Planning For The Future - For individuals with parents who still live safely and comfortable on their own, buying a home with a secondary suite can be a great way to plan for the future. Although they may not need it at the time, having a secondary suite can bring peace of mind to children and parents alike.
• Rental properties - As mother-in-law suites can make ideal rental properties, purchasing a home with a secondary suite can be a great monetary investment. During difficult economic times, having the extra income of a rental property can be of great financial benefit. And since most secondary suites have private entrances, families won’t have to worry about having close, constant contact with tenants.
• Guest Quarters - Many families use mother-in-law suites for guest accommodations. Although many people enjoy having house guests, cramped quarters and lack of privacy can be stressful on the entire household. Secondary suites provide a solution to these problems, and give guests a place where they can relax without feeling like they’re in the way. With private bathrooms and living areas, guests and hosts alike will enjoy the comforts of a secondary suite.
• Adult Children - Secondary suites also make great living quarters for adult children. For example, they can provide college-age children independence while still enjoying the comforts of home. Sending children away to college can cause parents a great amount of worry, and can also be difficult financially. Secondary suites provide parents with the peace of mind of having their children close by, and can also be significantly cheaper than student housing. Suites also supply students with a safe, quiet place to study, and can help older children become accustomed to living on their own.

No matter their current needs, nearly all families can benefit from purchasing a home with a mother-in-law suite. Whether you plan on using it as a home for a loved one, a comfortable place for house guests or a rental property, secondary suites can provide comfort, peace of mind and better quality of life for the entire family.

Image Courtesy of Stanton Homes