Why just considering it means you’ve already started. Here is something I’ve learned: downsizing isn’t just about square footage. It’s about life, and it’s about change. Downsizing is about identity, memory, comfort, fear, and freedom. It’s about everything you’ve built in your home and everything you’re imagining for what comes next. That’s why it’s so […]
Moving a Parent With Dementia
7 Ways to Make Moving Easier for a Parent with Memory Changes When a loved one is experiencing cognitive decline, helping them sort through a lifetime of belongings and settle into a new living space isn’t just about boxes and floor plans—it’s an emotional maze, filled with logistical hurdles, unexpected emotions, and just enough drawers […]
How To Talk About the Last Few Chapters
…With Children Who Aren’t Ready To Think About It Let’s face it—no one really likes to talk about the last chapters. Not when you mean the chapters in your life that include big decisions about where you live, how you live, and what you leave behind (both emotionally and materially). However, you, my wise and seasoned […]
Decluttering with Intention: Lessons from Helping Our Parents
At Silver Pathways, I work with two main groups: (1) older adults who are actively navigating the process of decluttering and downsizing, and (2) their adult children who are stepping in to help. My team and I mostly fall into that second group—members of the Sandwich Generation, balancing the changing needs of our parents while […]
Helping Your Parents Downsize: A Compassionate Guide
Watching our parents age is a bittersweet experience. The people who once seemed invincible—juggling careers, raising families, and managing households with ease—now face new challenges in maintaining their homes and daily routines. The reality of aging can make large houses, cluttered spaces, and everyday tasks feel overwhelming, not just for them but for their loved […]
When Roles Reverse: A Guide to Having the Aging Conversation With Your Parents
There are some conversations in life that feel impossible to start. Talking to your parent about aging—their health, safety, and the future—can feel like one of them. It’s delicate, emotional, and, let’s be honest, a little scary. After all, this is the person who raised you, who seemed invincible when you were a child. But […]
