CONSTRUCTION

By Dr. Marion Somers, Ph. D., Ask Dr. Marion

QUESTION: My husband and I are thinking about moving my 87 year-old mother in with our family. If we go ahead with it, we'll have to do some construction, but we're not sure how to go about it. Please help. Meredith in Illinois, 56

ANSWER: Many families move their elder loved ones into their home environment once they reach a certain age. Often, the family wants grandma to move in for all of the right reasons, buy they don't think about the costs of construction or how they will be inconvenienced when the work is being done. The entire family's needs and routines must be addressed before you move forward. Many construction projects are delayed and/or go over budgeted costs, so that can heighten tensions, too.

If you are going to make significant structural changes to your home, you also need to be aware of the rules governing each of these environments. There are usually specific construction permits and guidelines to follow or specific contractors you need to hire. It's better to gain all of the necessary details and approvals, rather than to have to rip out the new construction and start all over again.

One case in point went like this: After doing due diligence, we made substantial changes to my client's daughter's home since he was a wheelchair-confined paraplegic. We lowered the kitchen cabinets, changed the door knobs so they were easier to turn, and then removed many of the doors. We also widened the doorways, put tilted mirrors in the bathroom and bedroom, and installed environmental control units so he could activate various controls from his wheelchair or by clapping his hands. He lived in his daughter's home for several years, and when he needed to go to the hospital for his last days, he expressed gratitude for being able to remain independent during that time.