Before building or installing the medcottage, you should enlist all the facilities and amenities that the occupant wants and that you think the occupant will require. Have an honest conversation with the occupants. Listen to the things they want to include and also, share your plan.
By keeping the requirements in your mind, you’ll estimate the following things
1. The amount of space available to build a pod.
2. Number of rooms you want to include.
3. Amenities you want to include.
4. Mobility and accessibility.
Local Rules and regulation
Before starting to build Medcottage, make sure that your house meets the local planning rules and regulations. For example, in California, the latest planning law that is applicable this year is the SB9 law.
This law says that if you are residing in an R1 or OP1 residential zone, you can build a medcottage in your property only if
1. Owns a property that is at least 1200 square feet in size.
2. Divide your land equally between the properties built on it.
3. Any new building can fit solar panels and fire sprinklers.
4. Have stayed in the house for more than 3 years.
The best way is to meet with the planning permission officer and discuss your plan with him. He will make sure you can go ahead with your plan or not.
Finding a Suitable Location
After sorting out the legal process the next step is to choose a suitable location for the pod. It is important to plan the location, once built it is very difficult to make modifications. The location should be easily approachable, safe to live in, promote independence, be surrounded by the garden, and doesn’t feel like one building is placed over another. The occupants enjoy a good view after looking from the window.
Selecting an Architecture
Look for the architecture and colour scheme that matches your previously built home. For example, if your home was built using stones or bricks, it might look odd if you built the pod with wooden material. The pod doesn’t necessary matches your home but looks good alongside. Carefully select the style that compliments your previous building and doesn’t look like a garage or storage room.
Easily Accessible
It is very important to build a pod that is easily accessible. The occupant can enter the pod, and move inside the rooms and washrooms without any obstacles. The pod does not have any steps inside and especially at the front main door. Make an alternative pathway for the people who need additional access like a pathway for wheelchairs. You can do the following small steps to increase the accessibility in the pods.
1. Install supporting rails to walls and washrooms where necessary.
2. Doorway and a path that allows the wheelchair to move easily.
3. A storage space for placing medical equipment.
4. Make countertops that are at the right height for the occupants.
Designing a Bedroom
The number of bedrooms with attached bathrooms depends on the space available. If you have ample space available you can add up to two-bedroom. You can make one bedroom a master bedroom and build an ensuite bathroom attached to it. It will give the occupant a personal space to get ready in the morning. You can also install a walk-in shower in your ensuite bathroom for easy accessibility.
Designing a Kitchen
Cooking has many benefits, it makes your elderly busy and forgets all the stresses and strains of daily life. If your older relatives enjoy cooking, you have to put more time into designing the kitchen. You need to make space and cabinets for adjusting all the kitchen appliances. Countertops should be easily accessible to the occupants. If the occupant has some kind of impairment, design the kitchen keeping in mind that impairment.
Creating Outdoor space.
Nowadays, outdoor space is always a priority when purchasing a house. Outdoor space gives you room to do activities like gardening, exercising, swimming and reading a newspaper under the sunlight. The elderly can also build a small garden themselves
If you have limited space, you can also install a small terrace or deck outside the pod to give your elderly a space to sit and relax.
