How a four-generation household saves on childcare and elder care

Lily Telloyan, her husband Alex, their son Xander, Lily's parents Naomi and Tim Van Loh, and her grandparents Sam and Eva Telloyan moved in together in November 2024 after Lily, a remote special education teacher, faced rising childcare costs and her grandparents' growing needs.

Xander was born in April 2025. Mornings start around 6:30 am, with Lily and Naomi making breakfast while Alex leaves for the office and Naomi, who also works part-time as a remote educator, cares for Xander and her parents during the workday. "Running the numbers, it seems like a wash, honestly, to pay for childcare on a teacher's salary," Lily said.

Eva, who is 87 and has dementia, needs constant attention; professional long-term care would strain the family's finances and wouldn't give Naomi the peace of mind she has with her parents under her roof. "I don't know how we would do it the other way," Naomi said.

multigenerational living, childcare costs, elder care, dementia care, long-term care, special education, remote work, grandparents, home care, family caregiving