Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources: The Benefits of Aging in a Multigenerational Home
Reprinted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources
Editor’s note: I know that many LGBTQ+ seniors don’t have the option to live in a multi-generational home, but it remains a possibility as we, too, have families. We may also find alternatives that involve living with multi-generational housemates, as alternative forms and definitions of family continue to evolve. – Mark/Editor
By Danika Olsen
The concept of multigenerational living, where multiple generations of a family reside under one roof, is not a new one. It has been a common practice throughout history, fostering close-knit relationships and providing support for the elderly.
In recent years, multigenerational living has seen a resurgence, as families are rediscovering the numerous benefits it offers, especially for aging individuals. This article explores the advantages of aging in a multigenerational home and how doing so can lead to enhanced well-being and overall quality of life for seniors.
How Aging in a Multigenerational Home Can Support Seniors
Social Connection and Emotional Support
One of the most significant benefits of multigenerational living for seniors is the opportunity to maintain strong social connections within the family.
Aging can sometimes lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation, but living in a multigenerational home offers regular interaction with younger family members. This intergenerational interaction can help combat feelings of loneliness and foster a sense of belonging, purpose, and emotional support.
Seniors can also help their children and grandchildren, such as by providing babysitting or homework assistance. Doing so strengthens connections still further and can make the senior’s life feel more purposeful.
Enhanced Physical Safety
As individuals age, physical health and safety become more critical concerns. In a multigenerational home, there are more people around to offer assistance and support in case of emergencies.
Younger family members can provide aid with tasks that may be challenging for seniors, such as carrying heavy items, doing household chores, or even accompanying them on walks to ensure their safety.
In contrast, seniors who live alone may need to complete such tasks themselves. When they’re not able to, adult children often need to visit the senior to provide support – a process that can quickly become exhausting.
Sharing Financial Burdens
Aging often comes with increased medical expenses and the need for additional care. By living in a multigenerational home, seniors can share the financial burdens with other family members, making it more feasible to afford quality healthcare and other necessary expenses.
This collaborative approach can reduce stress and anxiety related to financial concerns, and as an added bonus, it can help teach kids in the home about building financial stability.
Intergenerational Learning
Multigenerational living allows for an exchange of knowledge and skills between different age groups. Seniors can pass on their life experiences, wisdom, and traditional practices to younger family members, fostering a sense of heritage and cultural identity.
Conversely, younger family members can teach seniors about new technologies, trends, and contemporary ways of thinking, keeping them mentally engaged and stimulated.
Assistance with Daily Activities
As individuals age, simple daily tasks can become more challenging. In a multigenerational home, family members can work together to help seniors with tasks like cooking, shopping, and housekeeping.
This not only lightens the load for the aging family member but also creates opportunities for shared experiences and bonding. For example, a senior may teach their grandchild how to cook one of their traditional family recipes or the pair might work on a baking subscription box together.
Emotional Well-being and Reduced Stress
Having a support system within a multigenerational home can significantly impact a senior’s emotional well-being. Feeling loved, cared for, and secure can reduce stress levels and enhance overall mental health.
The reduced stress levels can have a positive impact on various health conditions, making aging in a multigenerational home conducive to better overall health outcomes.
Avoiding Isolation from Society
Living in a multigenerational home ensures that seniors remain active participants in family life and society. They are less likely to feel disconnected or forgotten, and they continue to have a role in the lives of their loved ones. This active involvement helps seniors maintain a sense of purpose and keeps them mentally and emotionally engaged.
About Angelica Herrera Venson, DrPH, MPH
Founder of Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resouces
Angelica Herrera Venson, DrPH, MPH is a gerontologist born in San Diego and raised on both sides of the U.S-Mexico border. She’s a public health advocate who has spent two decades in community health work and research investigating how immigrant and racial /ethnic minority family caregivers and seniors navigate old age and seek out health and elder care. Today, Angelica supports some of Arizona’s community health centers, which serve primarily Medicaid and underserved communities, in their transition to value-based care.
About Multicultural Guide to Caregiving
Author and gerontologist, Angelica P. Herrera Venson, DrPH, opens up and shares her family’s personal stories and lessons from her field work and research on aging and caregiving with communities of color and first generation Americans.