When families are faced with finding a place for grandparents to live out their golden years, the options can be complicated. Full-service assisted living homes can be costly and dont always make the most financial sense. The steep fees paired with the guilt some families feel about an aging loved one living alone often leads to Grandma or Grandpa moving in with their adult children. Studies also report there are many benefits for both the adults and the children when grandparents and grandchildren spend quality time together. But if your home size or lifestyle wont allow this arrangement, what next?Enter the granny pod. Also known as an in-law cottage or in-law apartment, these detached tiny homes allow grandparents to stay close to their loved ones, while still offering some privacy. Its often difficult for the elderly to fully give up their independence, so this solution offers a balancethey still have a space to call their own, and the whole family has a certain peace of mind knowing theyre just steps away if they need assistance or, even better, want to tackle a new craft project or bake a homemade cake with their grandchildren.Tour These Charming Tiny Homes:Take on the Tiny Home LifeAllwood Escape Cabin Kit$7,664 at AmazonAmazon PrimeAllwood Estelle Garden Cabin Kit$8,990 at AmazonAllwood Timberline Tiny Cabin KitAllwood Claudia Cabin Kit$10,450 at amazon.comWhat Is a Granny Pod?A granny pod is a modified guest house that allows caregivers close proximity to aging loved ones. They are also called ADUs, or accessory dwelling units, and are designed with safety and accessibility top of mind (for example, slip-resistant floors, wide doorways, and rounded countertops). Some versions offer high-tech medical extras, other models are foldable, and can be built in a reasonable amount of time with help from handy friends that know their way around a toolbox.How to Care for Aging Parents$12 at AmazonWhere Can You Buy (or Rent) a Granny Pod?Whether a cabin kit from Amazon or a customized, pre-fabricated tiny home, options for granny pods are more plentiful than ever. Many of these portable accessible tiny homes are similar to a hospital room. Businesses such as Tiny House Great Medicine, WheelPad, and Cottage Depot offer free-standing dwellings designed to be installed in the backyard behind the main residence (zoning laws permitting, of course) that can be purchased or leased. Bungalow-like on the outside and hotel suite-like on the inside, these structures include up to 440 square feet of living space, a kitchenette, a bed, and bathroom. Customers have options for standard safety features that include hand railings, defibrillators, first aid supplies, lighted floorboards, and a soft floor to minimize injury from falls. Double French doors can accommodate a wheelchair and other hospital equipment, if needed. Choose from from a variety of styles and floor plans options. You can assemble yourself or hire a pro to install.View full post on FacebookThe firm FabCab specializes in modern-style homes for aging in place. Both interior and exterior spaces get the universal design treatment, a philosophy that all environments should work for all ages and abilities. Accessibility is considered in every space, from bathrooms to outdoor patios. The FabCab portfolio on their website shows galleries of images that illustrate their clean-lined aesthetic.Are Granny Pods Legal?Typically these small dwellings are hooked up to the main homes existing sewer, water, and power lines, so youll need to obtain the necessary building approvals required by local agencies. And as previously mentioned, zoning laws in your area may have rules regarding the amount of land that can be covered by a structure. Check to make sure all intended uses of the cottage have been cleared before purchasing, including homeowner association agreements and proximity to historic districts, wetlands, or parks.How Much Does a Granny Pod Cost?Depending on the type of dwelling you choose, the estimated cost will likely run you between $100,000 to $250,000, Carolyn McClanahan, a financial planner at Life Planning Partners in Jacksonville, Florida, told CNBC. Depending on how many years the pod is used, the price could pay off, as the average cost of assisted living care is $43,536, while skilled nursing home care ranges from $82,128 to $92,376, according to the Family Caregiver Alliance. (h/t The Week)Related StoriesJanece MazeJanece Maze is Associate Editor at Country Living, where she covers DIY projects, gardening, and travel. When shes not in the kitchen creating a new recipe with farm fresh ingredients, you can find her on the road heading to a music festival or browsing a local consignment shop.