Key facts
- A couple built two tiny homes on their property for their three aging parents.
- The total cost for the homes and setup was approximately $100,000.
- The parents' health issues necessitated increased care and assistance.
- The couple managed much of the utility and setup work themselves to reduce costs.
- Medicare does not cover care providers, and VA benefits were limited.
- The couple is exploring Medicaid to help fund caregiver services.
Linda Barton, 55, and her husband built two tiny homes on their Texas property for her three aging parents, costing approximately $100,000. The decision was driven by the parents' declining health and the couple's demanding work schedules. Barton's parents, who were older when she was born, had previously lived separately, with her mother experiencing AFib and heart issues, and her stepfather recovering from a stroke. After her mother's health worsened, they realized they could no longer care for themselves independently.
The couple found a company that converted portable buildings into affordable tiny homes, with monthly payments manageable for the parents' Social Security and retirement funds. Barton's husband, working in commercial HVAC, used his skills to help with utility installations, water lines, electricity, and driveway construction, significantly reducing setup costs. The first home cost $37,000, with monthly payments over $600, and a ramp was added for accessibility. A year later, they purchased a second home for $43,000 for Barton's father-in-law, who also began experiencing health issues and lived 40 miles away.
Currently, Barton's mother has dementia and is in hospice, while her stepfather and father-in-law require assistance with daily tasks like cooking, laundry, and vehicle maintenance. Caregiver support through the VA for her stepfather is limited to 20 hours per week, and Medicare does not cover care providers. Barton is researching Medicaid to help fund additional caregiver services, noting a potential two-to-three-year wait.