Hive

By: Lisa M. Cini

Narrated by: Madeline Star

Four generations live under one roof in Columbus, Ohio, and they've figured out how to make it work: dividing responsibilities and chores, re-designing some physical spaces for privacy, and reconfiguring others into common areas for all to gather and enjoy living together.

This tale of heartache, heroism, and hope is one family's multi-generational social experiment, which encompasses kids in their teens, parents in their 40s, grandparents in their 70s, and a 90-plus year-old great-grandmother. Together, as they navigate the joys and challenges that come with aging in America, they're also answering the question, "How does family help you thrive at home when you're old?" An Alzheimer's/dementia diagnosis adds a layer of complexity, yet the family resolves to keep their eldest at home for as long as she's happy, safe, and engaged in life. The younger generation learns much from their elders, and the elders from their children. While mastering the use of technology and new family systems, they're also mastering the use of humor, tolerance, and patience. Ultimately, that's what makes this four-generation experiment a success.

Practical design advice and clear-eyed strategies are mixed with personal tips and observations, making it easy to see how anyone can transform their home in into their own multi-generational living situation. Her stories are honest, both funny and poignant. The family's fiascos are counterbalanced by their many successes, the greatest one being that as individuals and as a family, they continue to thrive.

©2017 Lisa Cini (P)2017 Lisa Cini

Amazing book and insights

Lisa Does it again. I could not put this book down and learn so much about inter-generational living. I will use this book in reference to my business over and over. Great content, funny, and easy to read

This book is about elder care

I am considering moving in with my parents and bringing my children by choice. To experience a closer family connection. I thought this book would be helpful. It was not. This book is about providing care for older relatives and designing great spaces for them. The details about design and memory care were really interesting and useful, but not about multi generational living. None of this was about the kids or the middle generations. And my parents are 55.

There were also some really trite metaphors about living with family. I thought there were very few great stories. I would’ve enjoyed it more if the interactions had been fleshed out with more narrative. Many of the paragraphs were basic things you could read on a blog titled “10 ways to live and love with family” or “eight things I love about my grandma.”