Elder Cottage (or, ECHO Housing)
This is a small (apartment-sized) home for use by an older person. It is temporarily placed in the back or side yard of a private lot that contains the main residence of a younger family member, typically a son or daughter. An elder cottage is detached from the main house, but utilizes the water, electric, and sewer systems of the main home. The cottage is designed like a conventional home, with a pitched roof and siding colors and materials to match or blend with the main house; and it is often sited on a cement or pressure-treated wood base for easy removal when the cottage is no longer needed. The benefits of an elder cottage include: (1) an affordable private-home option, (2) emotional security for the older person of living close to caregiving family members, (3) for younger family members, the convenience of close proximity for providing caregiving functions, (4) privacy for both the older person and the caregiver family members, and (5) an option that reflects a major preference of older people to live in an age-integrated environment. An elder cottage does not require licensure by the New York State Department of Health because it is the private home of an individual or couple. A resident may purchase all levels of services and care from community services agencies in the same way that people do who are living in traditional houses and apartments.
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