Moving Mom and Dad – When it’s Time

Our earlier blog topic addressed the pro-active strategy on downsizing. However, many of us see our parents in homes they have lived in for 25 years or longer. If poor health, mobility or cognitive problems are prompting you to discuss moving your parents to a smaller more manageable space or an assisted living residence, how do you begin to broach the subject? There’s no question this can be a tender topic. Many times family dynamics can interfere with the decision making resulting in inertia. Here are some suggestions on how to open the conversation: Are your parents lonely? Is there social circle dwindling? Are they happy? Are finances an issue – can they still afford their large home on their pension income? Or, can they still keep up the physical maintenance on their home? Are they taking care of themselves and eating properly? As always, conducting the conversation with tact, love and understanding is paramount. When it comes time to sell their home we recommend engaging a caring Real Estate Agent – one who truly enjoys working with Senior’s and is sensitive to the major life transition they are facing.