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| View of Lokhorst common living room and patio |
Here's a creative idea for intergenerational living....an "estate" house or mansion (an older home in Saanich, BC with a large addition that includes two in-law suites, plus a common living and dining area, and elevator.) The Lokhorst family lives here: David and Kathy and their 3 teenagers, plus BOTH, yes, both, sets of grandparents, each in their own lovely new suite, which the grandparents were able to design themselves.
It's a living arrangement motivated by David and Kathy's (the "sandwich generation") desire to be there to help out their parents as they age and may need more assistance, plus by the desire to see more of each other. At the same time, everyone has their own private space and independent lives.
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| View from living room of in-law suite |
It might not work for everyone (you've got to all get along, for one thing), but this is one family that is committed to being there for each other, in good times and bad. And in today's society of expensive housing, and long lived elders who may need help or care eventually, it's an approach that is worth thinking about. You can hear more about my visit to the Lokhorst's home, with CBC's Jo-Ann Roberts, at
All Points West. Scroll down and see the Not Young, Not Old column on the Lokhorst "mansion." And thank you to the Lokhorsts for sharing their home and lives with us! It was a treat.
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| Large common living room |
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| Lokhorst "estate" house |
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| Three generations, one roof |
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Cool! That is definitely something I think many more people are going to start to consider. You just have to find a big enough house and family members who really like each other ;)
ReplyDeleteInteresting idea! I enjoyed the column and liked how you had interview clips added this time. I see you've added several photos and their captions successfully!
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