With the help of Virginia Tech, the MedCottage was developed as a solution for the growing number of older Americans that need to find living arrangements. After installation, a MedCottage (12 foot by 24 foot- about the size of a master bedroom) can cost about $125,000. Compared to the assisted living costs of $40,000 a year, a MedCottage could be a bargain. Of course, one would need the space or the land to install such an addition. It was interesting to me, coming from New York City, that the family described in the article would have such land to implant a cottage but they didn't already have the extra space in the actual house. Perhaps moving forward, architectures and landscapers would take the aging issue into consideration when constructing small family homes in Virginia.

Although what really interests me about the MedCottage is the innovative floor material that would allow an egg dropped from seven feet above to simply "bounce" off, I'll just continue with the general importance: that the savings acquired from installed a MedCottage onto a family's property along with the achievement of the elder's acceptance to live in one can have amazingly beneficial effects for all involved. A couple could still retain the comfort of their family size inside the house, the elder could benefit from the small grant of privacy, costs would be kept low, the family is still kept close together, etc.

For more information about MedCottages, you can follow the original article here:The "Granny Pod:" High-tech dwelling could change elder care.

Family caregivers and senior home helpers would actually find themselves relocated to these situations more often in the future as our elders are moved into MedCottages. Having family so close to the senior could actually help monitor a caregiver's need for respite as well as the senior's moods in the case he or she feels homesick of lonely.

Still, not enough criticism was granted in this article. What downfalls can you see about MedCottages, especially if this were granted in South Florida? Or is there not many?