Why Families Are Building ADUs to Care for Loved Ones

Four homeowners said building an accessory dwelling unit on their property helped them become better caregivers for loved ones. The core appeal is proximity: family members can stay nearby for support while still having a separate living space. In the cases profiled, ADUs were used for aging parents, a parent with dementia, and an adult son with autism who wanted more independence.

An ADU is a small home, often built in a backyard, and Business Insider reports they typically range from 150 to 1,200 square feet. The article says they often cost $100,000 to $300,000 before extras like permitting fees, though some featured projects cost more. Some states, including California and New York, offer financial assistance to homeowners who build them, and Napa County’s Affordable ADU program helped one family finance a unit.

The takeaway for homeowners is to compare an ADU not only with construction costs, but also with alternatives such as moving, supported housing, assisted living, or a care facility. Those options may carry different financial, emotional, and caregiving trade-offs.

Lena Koropey plans to build a 750-square-foot ADU in Mattituck, on Long Island’s North Fork, and move into it herself so her mother can remain in the main house with a caregiver and familiar surroundings. Todd Kuchta’s family built a 480-square-foot, one-bedroom ADU in Napa County for Jacob, his adult son with autism; the project cost $248,000 and helped Jacob gain more independence and additional disability services.

Shalini Karnani Bonjour and her husband began building a 1,100-square-foot ADU in the Coachella Valley for her mother after exploring apartments, independent living, and assisted living. James Richard Cornell built a roughly 1,000-square-foot home in his front yard for his mother around 2013, giving him close access as her health declined.

The article highlights a practical theme: ADUs can help families balance autonomy with accessible care, but they require careful planning. Homeowners should think through who will live in which space, how needs may change, what care support is required, and whether financing or local programs are available. Design choices can matter too, such as the two-bedroom, two-bathroom layout and walk-in tub planned for Bonjour’s mother.

Rachael Reiner of Villa told Business Insider that many ADU projects are driven by families trying to balance independence with accessible care. That makes ADUs less of a one-size-fits-all fix and more of a flexible housing option for families planning around long-term caregiving.