Small Homes Emerge in a New Senior Housing Era

A few weeks ago this blog featured the story of a man creating an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to house his mother-in-law on a visit, only to end up using it himself to shelter in place after testing positive for the coronavirus (see Housing for Covid-19). Now that’s starting to look like a harbinger of big things to come.

The reasonably equipped ADU has several things going for it in pandemics: it’s small, it’s safe, it guarantees social distancing by definition, it’s highly suitable for current high-tech communications trends and it’s relatively affordable. But a slam-dunk it isn’t.

By now intelligent readers of this blog, and intelligent new readers as well, understand that small homes for senior living must meet certain requirements. They must be comfortable, easily cleanable and allowing of constant communication regarding the status of the dweller within—are they up and about, are they feeding properly and taking their medications, are they avoiding falls and other mishaps but communicating quickly when disaster happens?

We’ve spoken of the growing technologies supporting this requirement (see Microchips: The Tiny Keys to Senior Independence), but it’s worth taking special note of the amazing growth and acceptance of telehealth during the pandemic. From being a maybe, to a could be, to a sounds good but…, telehealth visits have evolved as standard care for older people sheltering in place and have become federally financed. This is a major step forward for the small home alternative.

But, as ever, there are precautions to consider. Aside from the usual obstacles, such as single home-based municipal codes, growing construction costs and not-in-my-back-yard community reactions, there are the lifestyle concerns of elderly occupants. Under no circumstances should they be allowed to feel isolated or trapped in these small spaces —out of sight, out of mind.

Nor should they feel any doubt that family and the community support them, care about them and will deliver medications and food as needed.

They should also be helped to avoid feeling bored or “antsy” from living in a small space. A recent report indicated that urban microapartment acceptance was bumping up against growing sentiment by would-be dwellers that they might prefer more space both inside the unit and in surrounding properties.

The needs for openness are understandable and require honest engagement by those who, in so many other ways, see small homes as an important answer for senior living.