A grandfamily may sound like a nearly royal term, but it’s actually much simpler than that. Grandfamilies are grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. They face some unique challenges, and now there are some housing communities that are sprouting up to balance the living-space needs of older adults and the children they’re raising. Whether a grandparent is raising a grandchild due to issues with the child’s parents, or due to the death or disability of those parents, the right kind of arrangements are needed.

One of the biggest problems, is that 55+ communities and other spaces that are well-designed for seniors don’t allow for young children to live there. So some of the best and safest places for older people to live are automatically out of the question when raising grandchildren. But houses in suburban areas where there are playgrounds just down the block may not be right for seniors. They’re often full of younger people, and that can make a senior who needs additional care or support feel very isolated and alone.

If they don’t drive, it’s even more difficult. They may need transportation to medical appointments and the grocery store, but they also need to make sure they’re close to a school bus stop. Then there are all the concerns of the kind of house they may need to live in, and whether they can get everything they need in the location they’re in without moving somewhere else.

A grandfamily can be a great family, but it’s not going to look the same as more traditional families. Because of that, it’s housing can’t be traditional, either. With new options being created for housing that fits both older people and children, there are options for kids to grow up healthy and strong, and for grandparents to get the care and support they need on the journey, as well.

If you haven’t created your own estate planning documents yet, or if you have outdated documents that need to be updated to reflect your current situation and wishes, we can help. Contact us today to get started!