I'm seeing it more and more and am actively educating myself on how to best service these homeowners (hence my Senior Real Estate Specialist designation). The scenario often goes like this; aging parents decide they want a smaller space and need less maintenance. The family decides it's best to move in with one of their children to save money plus possibly provide care and assistance to their grandchildren. Now there are 3 generations under one roof and space may be tight if it wasn't planned out ahead of time. (A Pew report did find that more than three-quarters of "boomerangs" — the young adults ages 25 to 34 who move back in with their parents — were satisfied with their living situation- but that's another post for later.)
It's not uncommon for my buyer clients to have an in-law suite or potential space to build a suite be on their wish list because of this exact scenario. These homeowner's are called 'sandwich generation' and it's becoming a growing trend as the baby boomers age. Luckily as the trend grows, homes to accommodate multigenerational families are growing as well. Builders, contractors and architects are supporting this need and there are even certified aging-in place specialist (CAPS) to help.
If you decide to modify your home to fit the needs and conveniences of your parents, think about their safety and daily conveniences. Such as adding more light in rooms, installing grab bars in bathrooms and near stairways and ensuring floor transitions from room to room are smooth. Motion censored lights, remote controlled fans and window treatments and walk-in showers are desirable to the majority of homeowners and buyers and are beneficial for aging family members! Win-Win!
If you need to make extra space or even move to a more accommodating floor plan, I am your
Lastly, there are many things to consider when living in a multigenerational home and at times can be hard for the 'sandwich generation.' Here is a link for some helpful tips:
https://www.care.com/c/stories/5326/9-tips-for-managing-sandwich-generation-stres/
