PERSONAL PLANNING
Return to housing types we need to age in place RIGHTSIZING Erica Copenhaver is project coordinator for the MicroLife Institute in Atlanta Home is where the heart is, and we tend to share our hearts with the people around us. As we age and get ready to downsize and simplify our lives, why should we have to leave the communities that make our homes feel like
homes? Most housing markets do not offer the opportunity to downsize within one’s community, requiring individuals to move sometimes hours away from their homes to find right-sized housing. This can have severe negative effects on our health when we are forced to leave everything we know behind and try to start over in a different place, especially in a time in our lives when we might require extra care from our neighbors, friends, and loved ones. America is facing a loneliness epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, social isolation has been reported to
14
AUGUST 2022 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com
contribute to risk of premature death, dementia, and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Fortunately, we can combat this by revamping our housing choices in our communities. There are many existing housing types that can enable people to downsize comfortably and age in place. Some options include “accessory dwelling units,” duplexes and multiplexes, or cottage court communities, which are neighborhoods consisting of “right-sized” houses (usually less than 1,200 square feet) clustered together
around a common green space. These types of developments are designed with community in mind–they bring people together and enable the neighborly interactions that have long been forgotten in many communities. Accessory dwelling units (ADUs), also known as motherin-law suites or granny flats, are the cute little houses you build in your backyard. An ADU can also be a separate section of the main home converted into an independent residence. Here are some ways to use an ADU: allow family their own place to stay when they visit; rent out the ADU for additional income; live in the ADU and rent out the main
