Watching a parent grow old is a blessing. There are few things more valuable than the joy of getting to love and glean wisdom from aging loved ones into their twilight years. But as we all know, getting older comes with its own set of unique challenges. Many families in the past several decades have turned to retirement communities or care homes to meet the needs of their aging relatives. However, as the cost of such facilities continues to rise, the adult children of aging parents are turning to a new solution — Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU).
An ADU is a small, self-contained living space built on the same property as a single-family home. It provides a way to keep family close while offering the independence and privacy that everyone values. At Lamont Bros. Design & Construction, we’re no stranger to building ADUs or designing custom spaces for senior citizens to age comfortably. If you’re looking for the best way to design an ADU for aging parents, you’ve come to the right place.
Building an ADU for an aging parent is about more than simply putting up four walls and a roof — It’s about creating a space that’s safe, comfortable, and tailored to the unique needs of seniors. After reading this article, you’ll have a better understanding of how to create a functional and welcoming ADU for your aging loved ones. Specifically, we’ll explore:
- Reasons to Build an ADU for an Aging Parent
- Best ADU Design Principles & Practices for Aging Parents
- Specific Features & Products to Use in an ADU for Aging Parents
Reasons to Build an ADU for Aging Parents
Before we discuss how to go about designing an ADU for your aging parents to live in, let’s first cover why you might choose this option in the first place.
Maintaining Independence
One of the greatest gifts we can give our parents as they age is the ability to maintain their independence. An ADU allows them to live on their own terms while still having family nearby for support.
Imagine your parent being able to have their own space where they can cook their meals, enjoy their hobbies, and invite their friends over, all without feeling like they’re imposing. It’s the best of both worlds – they get to keep their independence, and you get peace of mind knowing they’re safe and close by in an emergency.
Proximity to Family
An ADU also provides a way for aging parents to stay close to their families. This proximity means you can easily check in on them, help with daily tasks, or simply spend more time together.
Solutions like this provide benefits that can span many generations. It means grandchildren get to spend more time with their grandparents. Plus, if you need childcare, grandma and grandpa are right there to offer it, depending on their ability.

Increased Property Value
Investing in an ADU can also be a smart financial move. Adding an ADU to your property increases the property value and can generate additional income. Think about it – a well-designed ADU isn’t just for your aging parent.
It can be a future guest house, a home office, or even a rental unit. This flexibility makes your property more appealing to future buyers, potentially giving you a higher return on investment.
Cost-Effective Long-Term Care Solution
Long-term care facilities can be prohibitively expensive, with costs continually increasing yearly. For independent living facilities that only provide room, board, and meals, the cost can often be upwards of $5,000 per month. Facilities that provide assisted living or memory care can reach double that cost or more.
While there are certainly upfront costs of building an ADU, they can be considerably less than the ongoing expenses of a care home or assisted living facility. Rather than paying money to a corporation to care for your parents, you can invest that money back into your property by building an ADU. This way, the money spent isn’t money burned.
Best ADU Design Principles & Practices for Aging Parents
When it comes to designing an ADU for aging parents, you want to plan it for current and potential future needs carefully. The goal is to design an ADU that will meet your parents’ needs both now and in 10-20 years. Here are some of the best design principles and practices to consider:
Mobility and Accessibility
Ensuring that the ADU is easy to navigate is perhaps the most important consideration for aging parents, particularly if they have mobility issues.
Single-Level Design: Aim for a single-story design to eliminate the need for stairs. This reduces the risk of falls and means more areas of the ADU will remain accessible if parents lose their ability to climb steps.
Wide Doorways and Hallways: Doorways and hallways should be a minimum of 36 inches wide to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility aids. Increasing to 40”+ width often provides more convenience, but does sacrifice living space for walkway space in ADUs with limited square footage.
No-Step Entry: Incorporate a no-step entry into the ADU with a gentle slope or ramp. This makes it easier for individuals with mobility issues to enter and exit the ADU without difficulty, especially when it is dark outside.
Some seniors may not yet need grab bars throughout their living space. If you plan to build an ADU and your parent does not want grab bars yet, it’s a good idea to build the ADU with blocking between studs to support the grab bars when they eventually go in.
Safety Features
Safety should be your top priority when designing an ADU for aging parents. Implementing these features can help prevent accidents and provide peace of mind.
Non-Slip Flooring: Choose flooring materials that provide good traction to prevent slips and falls. When considering your flooring options, look at the materials’ Dynamic Coefficient of Friction (DCOF). Flooring with a DCOF of 0.42 or greater is considered safe.
Adequate Lighting: Install bright, even lighting throughout the ADU. Motion-sensor lights can be particularly useful in hallways and bathrooms to ensure that spaces are well-lit even at night.
Grab Bars: Install grab bars in key areas such as bathrooms, near the bed, and along any hallways. These provide support and stability and reduce the risk of falls.

General Layout Considerations
In addition to mobility and safety, the ADU should be practical and convenient for everyday living.
Open Floor Plan: An open floor plan improves mobility and makes it easier to navigate the space with a wheelchair or walker. It also creates a more connected living environment.
Easy Access to Bathroom Spaces: Ensure that bathrooms are placed in an easily accessible location in the floor plan. They should be able to be reached safely and quickly from any point in the ADU. This reduces fall risk and ensures that seniors can get to the bathroom when they need. Having a bathroom directly adjacent or attached to the primary bedroom in the ADU means less distance to travel if somebody has to get up in the middle of the night.
Specific Features & Products to Use in an ADU for Aging Parents
When it comes to providing a safe, functional living environment for aging parents, there are a handful of specific products and features you can use throughout the ADU. The kitchen and bathroom have the most direct impact on a senior’s daily quality of life.
Kitchen Design
The kitchen is a central part of any home. Designing it with accessibility in mind is crucial.
Lowered Countertops: Include sections of the countertop at a lower height to allow for ease of use from a seated position. This is particularly important for those who use wheelchairs.
Drawer Appliances: Install drawer microwaves and dishwashers at a lower height to reduce the need for reaching and bending. These are safer and more ergonomic than traditional models.

Induction Cooktop: For an aging parent who may be prone to forgetfulness, an induction cooktop can help reduce the risk of fire or personal injury. They heat through electromagnetic induction, meaning the surface does not get warm when in operation.
Bathroom Design
For seniors, 80% of fall-related injuries occur in the bathroom, according to a study by the National Institute on Aging. For this reason, the bathroom deserves careful attention and planning when designing an ADU for aging parents.
Zero-Threshold Showers: Install zero-threshold showers to eliminate the need to step over a barrier, reducing the risk of falls. These showers are also easier to access with a wheelchair.

Shower Seats: Some people prefer built-in shower seats, while others prefer simply to have enough room in the shower to place a seat down when necessary. In any case, a shower seat allows seniors to sit while showering, which can reduce fatigue and the risk of slipping.
Handheld Showerheads: Use handheld showerheads with adjustable heights. This allows for flexibility and ease of use, whether standing or sitting.
Want to Learn More About Aging in Place?
After reading this article, do you feel like have a better understanding of what design principles and features can help make an ADU a safe and comfortable place for your aging parents? If you’re considering your options for an aging parent and want to know if it’s better to keep them in their own home, check out our article, “How to Remodel Your Home For Aging in Place.” In it, you can read about the different ways you can update an existing home to be more senior-friendly.
Want to talk with a design professional about building an ADU on your property? Click the button below to schedule a free design consultation with a member of our team. We’ll guide you through the process designing and building an ADU so you never have to face the challenges alone.