Build Mom her own little house in the back yard

It's a common problem: aging parents who no longer can handle the day-to-day business of living on their own, but who are dead set against going to an "old folks home".

Too often, their grown children find themselves stressed and financially stretched between caring for their own children and their parents. The only middle ground for this "sandwich generation" - that of letting mom or dad or the in-laws move in - can be less financially daunting, but even more emotionally draining.

A new option, the "Inspired In-Law" is on display at West Coast Green, a huge, annual eco-building conference that is currently taking place at Fort Mason in San Francisco. The in-law unit is a pre-fabricated cottage that can be purchased and installed in your back yard. Given the time needed for arranging utilities, site preparation and planning, the units typically take about a month and half to put in place.

With the AARP reporting that 89% of seniors and baby boomers want to stay in their own homes and "age in place," the prefab unit offers families a graceful way out of a social, familial and financial predicament. The cottage enables the elder to preserve his or her privacy and it enables younger family members to offer support without losing their own privacy or disrupting family dynamics. It offers the sandwich generation an alternative to spending vast chunks of time and money commuting or jetting back and forth between thier parents and their own residences.

Compared to the cost of assisted living facilities, the price of a separate little house for mom in the backyard is also reasonable. Depending on the exterior styles, roof lines and interior finishes chosen, the cottages run from $50,000 and $100,000.

The Inspired In Law measures about 500 square feet and is available in four different floor plans. Each features a separate bedroom and living room area, a kitchenette and a bathroom. The unit is designed with ramps, grab bars and wide doors throughout, so it is wheelchair accessible.

The interior, designed with an eye to both environmental and human sustainability, is finished with handsome and eco-friendly materials that promote better light, better indoor air quality, and better mobility.  For example, the bathroom sink is configured so that it can be used by someone seated in a wheelchair, as is the shower. The windows are placed to maximize natural light, minimizing the need for artificial lighting during the day and improving safety for those with dimming vision.

Among the earth-friendly materials used in the Inspired In-Law are handsome Hakatai glass mosaic tile, which is made with a large amount of recycled content, a Swanstone integral sink and cork flooring. Kelly Moore Enviro Coat paint, which limits offgassing of VOCs (volatile organic chemicals) has been used throughout the cottage, providing a healthier environment for those suffering from asthma and allergies.

Among the green features of the cottage are a solar energy unit, rain water collection cisterns and a wall garden. 

The In-Law unit that was erected at West Coast Green was built by the firm Eco Offsite in eight days and then trucked to Fort Mason on Wednesday. Its pieces were craned into place and it was completely assembled by the time the conference opened on Thursday.

The Inspired In-Law was designed by Larson Shores Architects, and plans for the four different types of cottages are available online from HousePlans.com for around $3000.