5 Ways to Discuss Downsizing with Your Loved One

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Thinking about downsizing? Many seniors find that moving to a smaller home in retirement allows them to spend more time doing things they enjoy and less time focusing on housework. Additionally, downsizing can be helpful once retirees get to a point where they struggle to keep up with tasks like housekeeping and home maintenance. Moving to an independent senior living community can be an ideal choice for many seniors who are ready for a new adventure.

If you want to open up a conversation about downsizing with a loved one, it can be difficult to know where to start. Using these conversation starters and topics can help you navigate the conversation with ease.

Ask About Their Concerns

Whether you’re talking with a parent, grandparent, friend, or spouse, it’s important to know how they feel about downsizing. Moving to a smaller home or senior living community can be a big transition. Your loved one might have concerns about living in a new area, about leaving a home that contains many memories, or about everything involved in the moving process. Be sure to ask for their input about every aspect of this transition.

Be Honest About Your Reasons

Before talking with your loved one, try to pinpoint why you think downsizing could be a good idea. Do you think they’d benefit from socializing with others in a senior living community? Do you live far away and want them to have help close by when needed? Other reasons why you might encourage them to think about downsizing and moving to an independent living community include:

• Financial savings
• Proximity to family
• Less stress

Be honest about your concerns. Open, clear communication will help everyone involved feel more comfortable. 

Offer Your Help

The process of selling a home and moving to a new one can be daunting. Your loved one might be hesitant to confront the topic because they have concerns about what it would take to put their home on the market and to go through their belongings. Reassure your loved one that you’ll help them every step of the way.

Consult a Professional

Talk to a real estate agent or a senior living specialist in a senior living community about the process of downsizing. They’ll be able to offer advice and can even offer resources to assist with the transition. You and your loved one can meet with them to discuss your loved one’s concerns and questions.

Prepare Options for Downsizing

Look into the senior living options available nearby. You might be surprised at the range of options. There are senior living communities that fit every budget and lifestyle. You can gather together the options that you think your loved one would like and show them during your conversation, then you can schedule a tour of the communities together.

Rittenhouse Village Makes Downsizing Easy

Rittenhouse Village offers senior living communities in Pennsylvania and Indiana where residents enjoy upscale amenities and exciting activities each and every day. In our communities, we offer a range of living options: 

• Independent Living – Ideal for seniors who want to stay active in retirement while enjoying the convenience of on-site amenities
• Personal Care and Senior Assisted Living – Assistance with daily living activities for residents who need a helping hand
• SHINE® Memory Care – Specialized care for residents with memory-related issues
• Respite Care – Short-term stays offer time away for caregivers

Our locations include the following:

• Rittenhouse Village At Lehigh Valley
  
• Rittenhouse Village At Michigan City
  
• Rittenhouse Village At Muhlenberg
  
• Rittenhouse Village At Northside
  
• Rittenhouse Village At Portage
  
• Rittenhouse Village At Valparaiso

Once you’ve started to discuss downsizing with your loved one, you can begin to look through their options. At Rittenhouse Village, we make the move to our communities as easy as possible. Contact our team today at or schedule a tour of one of our communities to learn more.