Keeping Them Close By

It seemed that it was just yesterday when your mother was worrying about whether you had enough to eat for lunch or if you had packed your heavy sweater when off on an overnight camping trip with girlfriends. But now the shoe is on the other foot and you’re worrying about your aging parent and the challenges they face living on their own.

Many families are choosing accessory apartments as a viable answer. An accessory apartment is a self-contained unit built in an existing or new house. One specifically designed for a relative can have several nicknames including “granny flat” or “in-law suite.” But whatever you want to call it, for many families accessory apartments are the ideal way of helping an aging parent maintain their freedom and independence while keeping them nearby.

Since an accessory apartment is a fully operational living space with separate sleeping quarters, living room, kitchen and bathroom, it is subject to local building codes and bylaw restrictions. But once it has been built and is ready to be occupied, there are some things you can do to make the space safe, comfortable and convenient for the senior who will be moving in. In many cases, the mom, father or in-law moving in will bring along their own furniture, but if you need to furnish the accessory apartment in preparation for their arrival, here are some basic guidelines to keep in mind when creating the ideal age-proofed living area.

Because many accessory apartments will be in the basement, you can off-set their tendency to be smaller in size with less natural light by choosing lighter colors for furniture. Or if the elderly parent or relative prefers darker woods or finishes, paint the walls of the unit a lighter color to make the area appear more spacious. When selecting a dining table, end tables, a coffee table or nightstands, purchase ones with rounded corners.

Many manufacturers are producing furniture pieces smaller in scale, designed specifically for apartment living. Opting for two loveseats rather than one sofa can increase the seating options of the living area while taking into account less space to work with.

To make the most out of the available floor space, choose multi-functional pieces whenever possible. A coffee table with open shelving, an end table that includes a magazine rack or an ottoman that doubles as hidden storage are just a few of the many ways you can introduce multi-functional furnishings into an accessory apartment.

Of course, the right lighting is a very important concern when decorating an accessory apartment that will be occupied by an aging parent or in-law. Select lamps, wall sconces and other fixtures that can accommodate bulbs of higher wattage and have at least two bulbs. Old age can play havoc on the eyes, and using higher wattage light bulbs will shed more light, preventing unnecessary accidents. Choosing fixtures with two or more bulbs will make allowances; if one burns out at night, the lamp will still provide some light until the bulb can be replaced in daylight hours.

Having a separate place for an aging parent or in-law to live can provide the perfect balance between maintaining the senior’s independence, and a loved one’s concern for their safety and well-being. Good design and wise furniture choices can create an accessory apartment that is comfortable, practical and inviting.