Multi-Generational Remodeling for Elder Care & Child Safety
What Is the Sandwich Generation in Multi-Generational Homes?
The “sandwich generation” refers to middle-aged adults who are simultaneously caring for aging parents and raising children. These individuals often live in multigenerational households, taking on dual caregiving roles due to increasing life expectancy, economic pressures, and a desire to stay closely connected as a family.
To accommodate these needs, many turn to home remodeling. Multigenerational renovations create flexible, functional spaces that support both seniors and children under one roof—fostering a seamless blend of generations. With thoughtful layout changes and accessible design features, remodeling enhances daily life by allowing shared spaces while preserving privacy. Each family member benefits from greater dignity, comfort, and safety in a home designed to meet everyone’s needs.
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Multi-Generational Remodeling for Elder and Child Safety
There are many ways to accommodate the needs of both elderly parents and young children in multigenerational homes. In many cases, they share similar remodeling goals—particularly when it comes to safety and accessibility—especially when the entire household is considered during the planning process.
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Universal Design for Every Generation
Universal Design refers to the creation of environments and products that are accessible and user-friendly for people of all ages, abilities, and physical conditions. It goes beyond traditional accessible design by focusing on usability for everyone—not just individuals with disabilities.
In a multigenerational home with both young children and elderly adults, Universal Design promotes independence, safety, and comfort across all generations through features that are intuitive, inclusive, and adaptable.
Universal Design ideas you can incorporate in your remodeling project:
Automatic doors and lever-style door handles reduce physical strain for everyone when opening or closing them.
Adjustable-height counters allow anyone of any height to comfortably use them without stooping or needing to stand on a stool.
Wide, no-step entrances and open floor plans enhance home safety and usability without compromising aesthetics.
Utilize discrete home technologies, such as motion-sensor lighting, to guide anyone who needs to use the bathroom at night.
Remodeling Tips for Safer Elder Care at Home
If you’re planning to care for aging parents or elderly loved ones in your home, your remodeling goals should prioritize safe mobility and independent living.
Safe mobility means creating a space where everyone in the household can move around confidently, without the risk of slipping or falling. Designing for independence—by incorporating living-in-place features—helps all family members use key areas of the home, like bathrooms and bedrooms, with minimal assistance, supporting both comfort and dignity.
Here are a few thoughtful ways to remodel your home with elder care in mind:
Having the in-law suite on the first floor so that individuals don’t have to use the stairs, as stair climbing can become challenging with age.
Accommodate mobility aids by providing wider hallways and bathrooms that allow users to turn around easily without bumping into walls or other obstacles.
Prevent slips and falls with non-slip flooring and secure rugs.
Make the in-law suite bathroom safer and more accessible for older adults by incorporating features such as curbless showers, grab bars, handheld showerheads, and raised toilet seats.
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Remodeling Tips to Improve Child Safety at Home
Are you planning for your children to have their own rooms, or do you envision them sharing a space with an age-friendly design? When remodeling their bedrooms—and the home overall—with children in mind, multi-generational living should strike a balance between safety, comfort, and creativity that encourages play and exploration, such as:
Remodel with safe, healthy materials like low-VOC, child-safe paint.
Choose durable flooring: Soft carpet is ideal for toddlers to play on, while easy-to-clean vinyl is great for older kids—allowing for messes without permanent stains.
Promote tidiness with custom storage solutions: Consider beds with built-in drawers, desks with compartments, and bins or baskets within easy reach.
Design multi-functional zones that spark imagination: Think loft beds with space below for play or study, or cozy window nooks that provide a calming retreat.
Schedule Your Consultation for Multi-Generational Remodeling Today
For nearly 40 years, our design-build team at Schroeder Design Build has specialized in creating safe, functional, and beautiful spaces for multi-generational living—where everyone can thrive for years to come. From accessible design features to custom-built additions, we offer remodeling solutions tailored to meet the needs of every family member.
Ready to create a home that truly fits your family?