Multigenerational living is something that can be an incredible blessing. Of course, at the same time, it comes with its share of hardships, like everything in this world.
My soon-to-be husband and I moved from Wyoming to Idaho and temporarily stayed with my parents. After we married, I became pregnant with our son. We decided to stay with my parents since I had a newborn and my husband was away for work frequently. We remodeled the home's unfinished basement to provide us with a separate area to live in and add additional value to the property. My parents offered incredible support to me in helping with my son. My husband was showing himself not to be the greatest life partner or father, making their help even more appreciated! Eventually, my son's father started a flooring business and went to work in North Dakota. This is a job he had extensive experience in. He would be gone for months, coming home for a few months' break, and then gone again.
When my son turned 3, my husband left for good, having met a gal who then became pregnant with his child. Again, without the support of my parents, I would have been lost. I immediately started looking for a job and found one with a “wellness” company in Idaho called Melaleuca. I could work part-time and eventually full-time as he started school. But knowing that I had a stable and secure home to raise my child in and people I loved and trusted to care for him was something many people do not get.
Fast forward in time to now. Our relationship has changed over the past five years. My parents are older, and their health has started to decline. I now find myself caring for them. Considering all they have done for me, I am happy to do this. Around two years ago, we moved to Utah from Idaho to be closer to my sister for added family support. We found and purchased a home in beautiful Utah, and were excited about making this change.
Within a month of buying the house, my mother was diagnosed with a colon tumor and underwent major surgery, which was quite extensive given her age. After the surgery, her health rapidly declined over two weeks. Despite repeated attempts to communicate with her doctor’s office, we had to take her back to the ER. There, they discovered a cantaloupe-sized abscess in her abdomen, which was not visible externally.
My mother was readmitted to the hospital for another two weeks. During this time, the abscess and her bladder, which it was pressing against, were drained. She also developed blood clots. We discussed a “Do Not Resuscitate” order with her and her doctor should she worsen. We intended to bring her home as soon as possible, but the presence of the bracelet seemed to make the staff assume she would not be doing this! As a result, she received no physical therapy and continued to decline.
We had to strongly advocate to get her the necessary physical therapy to facilitate her return home. My mother had Multiple Sclerosis for many years and, after moving, was also diagnosed with dementia. A neurologist informed us that the recent infection and surgeries likely accelerated this disease.
Of course, so much more is involved, but now I continue to live with and assist my parents as they helped me. My sister is close by and a great help as well. I can never fully repay them for all the support they have given me. But being here for them is something I can do!
I strongly support and advocate for multigenerational living. Here are just a few of the many benefits of sharing a home and caring for multiple generations within a family.
Emotional & Social Benefits:
- Stronger Family Bonds – Encourages deeper connections across generations.
- Built-in Support System – Provides emotional support and companionship.
- Reduced Loneliness & Isolation – Helps prevent social disconnection, especially for seniors.
- Improved Child Development – Children benefit from the wisdom and care of grandparents.
Financial Benefits:
- Shared Expenses – Lowers housing, utility, and grocery costs.
- Pooling Resources – More financial flexibility for education, healthcare, and investments.
- Greater Economic Stability – Protects against financial hardship with multiple income sources.
Practical & Lifestyle Benefits:
- Convenient Childcare & Elder Care – Family members can support each other, reducing the need for outside care.
- More Efficient Household Management – Shared cooking, cleaning, and responsibilities ease daily burdens.
- Stronger Cultural & Family Traditions – Preserves heritage, values, and traditions across generations.
Health & Well-Being Benefits:
- Better Health Outcomes – Family caregiving promotes well-being for both elders and younger members.
- Safer Living Environment – More people at home means added security and emergency support.
- Encourages Intergenerational Learning – Knowledge, skills, and experiences are shared across ages.
Multigenerational living isn’t just a practical solution—it’s a meaningful way to strengthen family connections, improve quality of life, and create a more supportive and sustainable household.
