In the United States, more and more families have turned to assisted living centers to care for their aged parents. However, as we hear from Faith Lapidus, there may be an even better project —one that provides a safe environment for older adults while keeping them close to loved ones.
In a quiet neighborhood near Washington, DC, two homes sit within several meters of each other. The larger house belongs to Soc Page and her family. Behind it is a small home where her mother, Viola Baez, lives. Miss Baez's home is a MED Cottage. These structures are built to meet the medical and safety needs of the elderly. Soc Page says it is the best place for her mother.
“My home is just not safe for her. So this is an alternative. She's here, but she has her own space. It's set up for her. It's safe for her and it's not a nursing home. We are actually her primary caretakers, and she won't feel lonely in this place."
The MED Cottage is small—just 28 square meters. But it has separate areas for living and bathing. There is even space for medical equipment. The builder included special soft padding under the floor so older adults will not break a bone if they fall. From her own house, Soc Page can use cameras and intercom equipment to see and hear her mother.
Ken Dupin started N2 Care, the company that builds the small homes. He wanted to help families stay together.
"If I have a purpose for the rest of my life, it is somehow challenging and working up people's enthusiasm of accepting this responsibility to take care of their parents, and it's funny in that it's its own reward." He hopes he can make many other families as happy in the homes as this one.
