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Creating Truly Effective MultiGenerational Households Published on November 3, 2015
Mike Splaine
Principal at Splaine Consulting
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The September 2015 edition of The Atlantic http://theatln.tc/1Q4gAHR discusses the increase of an often-beneficial family environment: multi-generational households. Our research at Cognitive Solutions confirms this is a good time to discuss this option more often. Since 2011, there are households in which 64 percent contain three different age levels. http://1.usa.gov/1iieVTN. One level of that household includes a growing proportion of young adults (a record 57 million Americans) who’ve returned home. Then there’s America’s “sandwich generation:” 47 percent of adults ages 40 to 57. And many of us know why the age 65plus “Boomers” deserve that name. At Cognitive Solutions, we recognize that in the U.S.,10,000 adults are booming into that age group every day. Making a multi-generational home physically viable shows great insight. New houses, of course, may be built to a code where you can include access for wheelchairs; install grab bars and low-rise showers in a bathroom and provide other accommodations. The Atlantic overview shows a truly exciting mindset: a totally forward-thinking layout accommodating all three generations. But beyond financial and real estate issues, it’s essential to recognize the many physical/emotional challenges that could arise as one generation in the household ages. Consider Alzheimer’s disease: in a 2014 report, the Alzheimer’s Association estimated families provide most of this “informal” caregiving—and their services are valued at more $200 billion. Then there are the challenges beyond dollars. Among them: increased emotional stress, health impairments, even affected immune systems. My team and I understand the education needed to help various providers meet the extensive challenges in cognitive treatment (i.e., Alzheimer’s and overall dementia). First there’s serving professionals. Hospitals, community volunteers and the government’s Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) http://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/aco/ are seeking our training, including the specialized “Thinking About Thinking” seminar. And more and more, our teamwork aids the public, in areas like family caregiver conferences.
Encouraging professionals and families to truly organize a multi-generation household by including health-related discussions—especially before the move-in--is a great look forward. Meantime whatever the challenges, let’s remember the up side: the sharing and happiness in multi-generational homesteads. ### Mike Splaine is CEO of Cognitive Solutions, a specialized consultancy enhancing detection, outcomes and savings for those in Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia-related patient service—both the professionals and families. Cognitive Solutions’ extended team consists of nurses, social workers, researchers and other industry specialists who bring 100-plus years of experience in Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
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Tagged in: multi-generational planning, alzheimer's disease, accountable care
Mike Splaine
Principal at Splaine Consulting 22 articles
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