These 4 homeowners built tiny homes in their yards to be better caregivers for their loved ones

Lena Koropey and her mother.

Courtesy of Lena Koropey Seeking more space, some homeowners are building accessory dwelling units in their yards.

Some use them for rental income, while others use them to keep loved ones who need care close by.

Business Insider spoke to 4 families who built ADUs for their loved ones about the experience.

Lena Koropey's mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease nearly a decade ago.

Since then, she's watched her once-independent mother come to rely on others for nearly every part of daily life.

"It's definitely getting harder each year," Koropey, 48, told Business Insider.

Six years ago, Koropey bought a three-bedroom home in Mattituck, on Long Island's North Fork, where she lives with her mother and a live-in caregiver.

The house is only 1,300 square feet, but it sits on half an acre, giving Koropey room to rethink their living arrangement as her mother's condition progresses.

"I've created spreadsheets and mapped out various scenarios, including building a small cottage or an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on our property, moving to another house, or, as a last resort, placing my mother in a care facility," she said.

"For now, we've decided to build an ADU ." Koropey plans to build a 750-square-foot home on the property and move into it herself, leaving her mother in the main house with her caregiver and familiar surroundings.

"There is no perfect solution, but my property gives me the flexibility to adapt our living arrangement as her needs change and, ultimately, to care for her at home for as long as possible," she said.

People are building ADUs for loved ones who need care An ADU is a small home, often built in a backyard.

They typically range from 150 to 1,200 square feet, and cost $100,000 to $300,000 to build, before extras like permitting fees.