Reverend Kenneth Dupin began MEDCottatge in response to the reality that seniors have very few options when it comes to deciding where and how they will spend their golden years.[6]
At some point, every senior has to make a choice when living alone starts to become more of a danger than a comfort. Reverend Dupin understood this went on to design a two-fold solution:
- Seniors can keep their dignity and autonomy for however long they physically and mentally can.
- Families can efficiently and practically care for their parents in a way that keeps them close without breaking the bank.
What are “Granny Pods?”
Granny Pods are temporary and mobile structures that are designed to make the rest of your parents’ lives safe and with loved ones.
MEDCottage offers three types of Granny Pods – Cottage, Classic, and Grand – that are all about twelve by twenty-four feet and hook up to the existing property’s plumbing and electrical. Country Living magazine described them as “a bungalow from the outside, and a nice hotel suite on the inside with room for a bed, living room space, kitchenette, and bathroom.”[7]
Each of these homes is senior-friendly, accessible, and can be modified to accommodate the individual you’re helping. Some safety features include things like pill dispensers to webcams and padded floors to vital sign monitors that alert you (the caregiver) if anything is wrong.[8]
All of this sounds good, but how much does it all cost?
As of 2010, the US Department of Health and Human Services reported that some average costs of long-term care for semi-private and private rooms ranged anywhere between $205 and $230 per day, or $6,235 and $6,965 per month.[9]
Your other option (and what seems to be your best one) is the Granny Pod. Setting one of these up for your parent in the comfort and safety of your backyard starts at $85,000 and goes up to $125,000.[10]
This figure may seem large at first, but in the long run, you and your family come out ahead. Together.
