In April, Janice Wallace wrote a really interesting post on the Elder Cottage Housing Industry. This industry allows a family to temporarily add a separate unit to their property to care for their parents. I was reminded of these while I was travelling through Ohio's Amish country and saw Dawdi Haus after Dawdi Haus.

What is a Dawdi Haus?These are the homes that the Amish build for their aging parents to have them nearby, similar to what we might look at as an in-law suite.These in-law quarters are added on to the existing house and area apparently the way that they care for their aging family because they are everywhere. In addition to traditionally caring for their elderly in the home, they also do so for their disabled loved ones.

Here are some other interesting posts discussing in -law suites:

Living with mom: Pros and cons of mother-in-law suites

A brief background — zoning and land use laws typically ban multiple dwelling units on one property, but some cities allow a relative or guest to live in secondary units, hence the term “mother-in-law suite,” or as I’ve heard here in ...

Mother in law suites

A mother in law suite will provide you an opportunity to keep a watchful eye on your aging parent but also provide you with a litt.

In Law Suites....Good Idea for Downsizing in Today's Economy

In an in law suite, there generally are two seperate entrances to the home, one for the main section of the home and one for the in law suite as well as a seperate bedroom, full bathroom and kitchen area for the in law suite. ...

The in-law suite is coming along

Otherwise known as "the shed." It's pretty big. Here's Luke last Wednesday. He's really enjoying these afternoons "helping" Daddy. He takes the junk drawer hammer and tape measure out with him. This is a little video (soundless) of him ...

Even the President's Mother-in-Law is referred to as living in a Mother-in-law suite. I'm pretty certain her accomodations are bit nicer than most, but still, the idea is the same as are the benefits for her, her children and most especially her granchildren.

WORLD Magazine | Community | Blog Archive | Life from the mother ...

Life from the mother-in-law suite. 5 Comments. Written by Kristin Chapman. May 5, 7:30 AM. President Obama's mother-in-law may have come to Washington “kicking and screaming,” but after three months she seems to have settled right in to ...