 Alternative names include "granny flat", "granny annexe", "granny suite", "in-law suite", and "accessory apartment", the first being used primarily in Australia and New Zealand, where it is the most familiar of these terms, but also in parts of the United States; the second is the most common term in the United Kingdom and Ireland.Such apartments are frequently used to accommodate an elderly relative who is incapable of independent living, but is not ready for a nursing home environment or other similar facility.The apartment may or may not have a communicating door to the main house, but virtually always has a separate entrance and is usually not part of the original design.