As people get older, sometimes adjustments are needed to accommodate both their physical and financial requirements.  Sometimes there needs to be some remodeling done at a stick-and-brick home.  At other times, a manufactured home may be added to the property to accommodate relatives and caregivers. In other situations, some older people decide to sell their home, downsize, and move to a new manufactured home community.

The Shreveport Times tells MHProNews about a couple who chose to stay in their present home. They are in their 70s and live in a two-story home, but the husband is having some trouble walking up and down the stairs.

Jeb Breithaupt, a third-generation remodeler, who is president of JEB Design/Build in Shreveport was asked to help this couple make some adjustments to their home. “They really love their house because they raised their family there, and they want to live someplace with lots of room for visiting grandkids,” he said. “So they don’t want to move to a one-level place.”

The solution was to remodel so they can live on the first floor of the home and let the grandchildren have the run of the second story when they spend the weekend, Breithaupt explained.

“We made room downstairs for a master suite and a bigger kitchen by removing the wall between the home’s two-car garage and the kitchen to make the garage a part of the house,” Breithaupt explained. “When we’re finished, the expanded kitchen will include a spacious breakfast room and will open up into a big family room with a large-screen TV and a game table. Upstairs, we’re converting one oversized bathroom into two smaller ones so the kids won’t have to wait in line in the mornings.”

Another benefit is that when those children are grown and gone, he said the couple thinks they’ll use the upstairs as quarters for a live-in caregiver so they will never have to move to a nursing home.

Other stories have emerged about making accommodations for older people through the use of manufactured housing. According to the Scottsbluff Star Herald, residents of Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, petitioned the County Commissioners’ Court recently to lift a ban on single-section manufactured homes in the county. With the lifting of the ban, a petitioner said that “Young couples will be able to put their home on their parent’s property and senior citizens can place a home on their children’s property so they can stay closer to family.”  (See related story.)

In Rocky Mount, North Carolina, The Rocky Mount Telegram told MHProNews about a petition submitted to the County Board of Commissioners to allow the placement of a manufactured home on property next to an existing stick-and-brick home. The purpose of this was to allow a grandchild, other family members, or a caregiver to occupy a manufactured home in the seniors’ yard and provide care, while the older folks could stay in their own home. (See related story.)

Although some chose to remodel a present residence, many seniors decide to downsize and move to an apartment, condo, or to a senior manufactured home community.  The attraction for this choice is having less expense in items such as property taxes as well as fewer responsibilities in maintaining the property. Many enjoy the activities available at some of these communities. (See related story.) 

So, there are several ways to accommodate the needs and wishes of seniors that will allow them to maintain an enjoyable lifestyle and stay close to their family members.  Manufactured housing has a lot to offer seniors who are making lifestyle changes. ##

(Photo Credit: Shreveport Times)

 

Article submitted by Sandra Lane to – Daily Business News – MHProNews.