Designing a Multi-Generational House - Considerations

When we embarked on this journey, I never realized how much was involved with multi-generational houses and planning a design around aging parents.  Consider reviewing the ADA requirements and suggestions to come up with great ideas to help make a happy home for a parent in a wheelchair.  We are lucky to not be in that situation now, but we are trying to plan for the future if/when that may arise.  Some quick things we considered:

• first floor living - My parents did not want to live in a finished basement or second story for many reasons, but mainly due to the age-in-place concept.  That left them with the option of either building a guest house or building an addition onto our house.

•  zero-entry - You can have zero entry from the garage to house, into the shower, onto patios, etc.  The cost difference for each was a bit dependent on the design of the house, but here were some preliminary estimates ( $750 for zero entry shower, $3000 for zero entry garage, varied for patio depending on grade)

• wide doors/halls - This was a big cost adder because larger doors were non-standard.  

• window latches - Look into different types of windows because some have very easy-to-open latches.  We selected Milguard windows because they are specifically for the age-in-place concept (and they were not that much more expensive).

https://www.milgard.com/learn/protecting-your-home/smarttouch-innovation

• grade - We wanted a lot that could offer both a walk-out basement and a walk-out-on-grade option for my parents on their side of the house.  My parents really wanted the ability to exit their house into the backyard onto grade (or close to it) rather than down a long flight of steps from an elevated deck.

• flooring - Thick pile or plus carpet is very difficult for wheelchairs.  Plus, it really did not jive with our Modern Farmhouse feel!  So we are installing all hardwoods on the main floor, including the in-law suite.

Thanks and share any other ideas you have!