More families combine their generations into one household

By Julie Anderson

Mar. 18, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) --
On any given Sunday, Alice and Richard Badura's west Omaha home served as the gathering point for their children and grandchildren.

So when the idea of combining households came up, it made sense.

The stairs in their old home's split entry and deck bothered Alice Badura's knees, but the couple weren't ready for an independent living center. Daughters Francie Badura, who is single, and Jo Ellen Newell, who recently was separated and widowed not long after, each maintained a home.

In January 2004, the four adults and Newell's two sons moved into a new six-bedroom, six-bathroom home near 180th and Q Streets.

While there have been minor adjustments -- it took Richard Badura a while to call it "our house" -- the family has nothing but good things to say about the arrangement. Family members share cooking duties and, when possible, dine as a family and watch Creighton basketball on TV together.

"Here we are, four years later . . ." said Francie Badura.

"Still liking each other," finished her mother. "I don't think we've had any big arguments or disagreements. We're pretty good at talking it out."

Such multigenerational households -- those housing three or more generations -- are relatively few in the Midlands and nationwide.

Some experts say the idea could catch on, given the aging population, tightening economy and increasing property taxes and housing costs. And several area builders said they are building some homes that can house extended family.

Nationally, multigenerational households increased more than 38 percent from 1990 to 2000, according to U.S. Census data. Still, they make up only 4 percent of all households nationwide. In Nebraska and Iowa, the percentage is even lower.

John L. Graham, author with sister Sharon Graham Niederhaus of the 2007 book "Together Again: A Creative Guide to Successful Multigenerational Living," predicts that the numbers will grow because retirement and pension systems won't support retiring baby boomers.

"For a lot of people, this is frightening," said Graham. "But five or 10 years from now everyone will think it's a great arrangement, because it's the natural way to live."

Grandparents may provide child care. Adult children can help care for their parents. Elders can benefit from being around younger people and sharing in activities. Grandparents may help out with the mortgage, or vice verse.

Francie Badura said her clan already has seen benefits.

Although the move wasn't a necessity, her parents -- now in their 80s -- since have faced health problems. Dad got a pacemaker. Mom had knee replacement surgery and recently battled pneumonia.

Newell said her sons have benefited from a male role model in the home. Jason, 12, said it's fun to learn from his grandparents' experiences.

Said Tommy, 16, "We're just so lucky to be able to spend so much time with them."

Fernando Pages Ruiz, owner of Brighton Construction in Lincoln, said he sees a lot of multigenerational households because he frequently works with clients from other cultures. Such setups are more common among recent immigrants, particularly those from Asia and Latin America.

Last year he completed a three-bedroom north Omaha house designed to change with a family. The house is the first of its kind in a research project financed by the federal Housing and Urban Development Department. It could be converted to a seven-bedroom house, and it includes a zero-step rear entry and space for an elevator.

"A house like this could handle all those people," Pages Ruiz said.

Curt Hofer, president of Curt Hofer Construction of Omaha, estimated that more than a dozen of the 150 homeowners for whom he's built custom homes in the past 15 years have looked seriously at designing with grandparents in mind. A handful have put that planning to use.

Hofer typically builds high-end houses, but he noted that there are options for middle- and lower-income families: remodeling or sharing a duplex, half of which could be rented later on.

Hofer has done his own planning. His parents, who are in their mid-70s and active, moved from Montana to a separate house down the lane from Hofer's home near Fort Calhoun. His lower level, which now serves as a recreation area for his four children, was designed so that it could be converted to a suite, complete with an elevator and kitchen, for his parents.

Denny Van Moorleghem, vice president of Regency Homes, said the firm built one home in west Omaha with a casita, essentially an apartment with a bathroom, minikitchen and separate entrance.

He's now working on a two-story, four-bedroom model home with a space behind the kitchen that could be an office or a mother-in-law suite.

Pam and David Kulisek are planning a home with three master suites. David's mother lives alone, but she's getting to the point where she can't. That means lots of visits -- and worry. Pam's mother, who also lives in her own home, has said she's having trouble taking care of it in the winter.

"It would just be easier if we could all be together," said Pam Kulisek, who's planning to build on a Bellevue acreage.

Granted, not every family could make it work. Many can't even plan a vacation together.

Elinor Ginzler, AARP's director for livable communities, said such arrangements require a lot of conversation ahead of time about everything from furnishings to finances.

"It can be a really good idea that can work really well," she said. "But if you're just (going ahead without) information, you can be left with a little bit of a rocky road."

The Baduras and Newells acknowledged that their household works because they combined parents and siblings who share values and tastes, as well as two easygoing kids.

They moved in some furnishings from their separate households and agreed on new pieces. They contribute to a household account that covers groceries and utilities. Extra funds can be used for agreed-upon purchases, such as new patio furniture, said Francie Badura, who bought the home.

They've also tried to incorporate each household's traditions. Five Christmas trees decorate "The Big House" during holidays.

Said Francie Badura, "We couldn't ask for a better situation."

Newstex ID: KRTB-0149-23867321