"Forever Home" Design

Profile: Carol (39) works at Target, Tim (43) is in Real Estate. They live in Bloomington in a 2,100 sq. foot split valued at $350,000.

Situation: After years of trying, Carol finds out she is pregnant with twins.  She also just discovered her dad has been diagnosed with a serious long-term illness. Carol is committed to caring for her father for the long-term. That’s not even a question.  She’s also looked and can’t find a care facility close by she likes. Regardless, it’s just so expensive! 

Their 20-year old, split-level just isn’t big enough for everyone, nor has it the universal design features to accommodate both the young and the infirm. 

Fortunately, Carol’s father owns his home free and clear, and although it needs some maintenance work, Tim thinks it is worth $500k. Too bad it is on the other end of town in Shoreview.

 There best friends live nearby and several of their other relatives also live nearby.  So, there’s plenty of help, just not enough home to go around.  

 Decision: Can they modify their current home to accommodate everyone or add on? Should they consider selling their home and moving in with Dad?

Seminar: Learn about the options ADU's and dual property transitions offer and understand what it takes to retrofit a split-level or expand for aging-in-place.

Profile: Lisa (49) and Dave (51), live in a walkout on 10 acers in Ham Lake.

Situation: Their college-age daughter, just moved back home and at a recent gathering noticed Dave’s dad is showing signs early-stage dementia. “He keeps telling me the same story over and over again,” she commented on the drive home. They’ve noticed it too.  “It’s just annoying now, but someday, say in the next 5 years, he may not be able to live on his own,” Lisa commented, worried. “I know,” Dave said, “But I don’t want to put him in some home. I don't trust them.  I want him with us.”

Decision: Their current home layout doesn’t quite work — not enough separation, privacy, or accessibility.  What now? ADU attached or unattached?

Resource: One of our own former staff members found herself in a similar situation when her mother came to live with her. You can listen to her explain it in her own words here...

Seminar: Discover how ADUs, flexible floorplans, and aging-friendly upgrades can give your family breathing room — and make your home future-proof.

Profile: Chris (45) and Jen (46) live in a 3,100 sq. foot rambler in Edina.

Situation: They own a primary home in Edina and a lake property with an older cottage in Excelsior they visit during the summer months. They dream of retiring there, but the current layout and systems won’t support long-term living and that is the ultimate goal.

 Decision: Should we sell the home in Edina now and fund the Excelsior renovation with smart universal design elements— or wait for the Edina home value to grow and avoid and look at a more costly remodel in 10–15 years?

Seminar: Learn how to make smart, future-focused design decisions now so your dream lake home grows old with you — not against you.

Profile: Rachel (49) and Steve (51), live in story and a half in Minneapolis.

Situation: Rachel’s parents still live in the family home — 2 stories, steep stairs, narrow hallways. Plenty of love, history and memories. "They insist they’re fine, but small mishaps are adding up. A future catastrophe is not hard to image and it’s terrifying because we have no idea what we would do if it did! We don't want to force them, but something has to be done," explains Rachel.

Decisions: How do we respect their independence while facing the reality of aging safety concerns? What can be done to modify the home and make it safer and, perhaps, make it more functional for a larger number of potential buyers?

Seminar: Discover compassionate ways to make a parent’s home safer, more accessible, and more livable — without sacrificing dignity or independence.

Profile: Amanda (55) and Paul (57), live in a 2-story in Lakeville.

Situation: Paul and Amanda recently inherited Amanda’s childhood home after her father passed suddenly. Now the clean out begins.  With no siblings to help, this will be a difficult memory lane to go down. Aesthetically, the home is lost in the 70’s, stucco, avocado shag carpeting and orange countertops.  Good bones perhaps but it needs a new roof, paint, entry door—upgraded curb appeal.

Decision: They are torn between selling, remodeling, or using it as a rental property and don’t want to rush into the wrong choice. They are not even sure they like the neighborhood. So many options.  What’s best for now and for our future housing?

Profile: Karen (56) works at Untied Health Care and Mike (58) is in insurance. They live in Coon Rapids.

Situation: They just spent an exhausting weekend helping move Mike’s 80-year-old mother out of her longtime home and into a recovery facility after a fall in her bathroom where she broke her arm. Recovery is expected to take 6 months. The clock is ticking to find her an assisted living solution, or retrofit her current home and find an in-home care solution. The emotional, financial, and logistical stress of an unplanned crisis like this has been overwhelming for them. No options seem attractive.

Decision: Do we retrofit her current home and bring her back to live in familiar surroundings or do we sell her property and use that money for assisted living.  “Watever we do here with Mom, we don’t want to be in that position with our kids having to choose on a moment’s notice what live-changing course to take!” Said Karen.

Seminar: Learn how proactive planning, universal design, and thoughtful remodeling can help you stay in control of your future — and avoid snap emergency decisions.