Waukesha County Home

By Dan Muckelbauer HomesPlus Editor Three generations or two older genera- tions in one home is becoming more commonplace, builders say. The good news: It's easy to accommo- date the older set when building a home. More good news: It might add as little as $13,000 to make two of the most popu- lar changes sought to convert a regular new floor plan into a multigenerational one. First, the growing need is a statistical fact. The U.S. Census Bureau projects the over-65 population growing from 47 mil- lion in 2015 to 71 million by 2030. Most older people who answered a 2016 survey by Home Advisor said they intended to stay in their homes as long as possible. "While most older homes weren't designed for an aging population, it's not difficult to make a new home accessible," said Tim O'Brien of Tim O'Brien Homes Inc., which has offices in Milwaukee and Madison. Easy entry and one-floor living for a person are two of the biggest design adjustments, although some plans account for multiple generations. "If you're considering having someone immobile living with you, people are def- initely asking for easier transitions from the garage or front door into the house," Scott Thistle of Halen Homes LLC in Brookfield said. An easier-to-navigate threshold into the house could range from $5,000 to $20,000, Thistle said. Changes to a stan- dard floor plan might mean a larger garage for a ramp or grading a lot to C O N T E N T S Portable AC gives efficient relief when you don't want to cool the whole house Flipping the switch to a more beautiful home 22 new homes at MBA Parade of Homes Tired garden? Make it look fresh for August A publication of the Waukesha Freeman and Oconomowoc Enterprise • AUGUST 2017 Your Guide to Homes, Home Improvement, Lawn & Garden and MORE! HOMES HOMES WAUKESHA + Bridging generation gap while aging at home Photo courtesy of Tim O'Brien Homes Inc. See MULTIGENERATIONAL/Page 4 Multigenerational living easily accommodated, builders say Tim O'Brien Homes' Waunakee model shows a zero- entry front door, an aging-in-place feature.

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