Downsizing is an inevitable part of life. Eventually, a home can feel too large to keep up with, or perhaps its time to transition into a senior community. Whatever the reason, most people will downsize their home at least once in their life. But what do you do when you think its time for your parents or loved ones to downsize? No one wants to be seen as pushy or nosey, but if you genuinely believe it would be for the best, discussing options is a great place to start.Before you talk to your parents about downsizing, it is beneficial to be able to recognize the type of relocation they may need. Several telltale signs can indicate someone is struggling with their current space. One of the first things you should consider is if your parents need to downsize or if they need to move into Assisted Living. If you notice multiple warning signs, it might be time to sit down and have an honest conversation with your parents. The signs that someone may need to downsize are:Do your parents mention the desire to lower monthly housing costs?Do your parents talk about relocating?Are there signs that upkeep is becoming difficult? (Untended yards, dirty rooms, etc.)Are your parents starting to think of plans for their future?Are your parents looking for more independence and fun?Any of the above signs can indicate that now is the time to start considering downsizing. Once someone downsizes, they will have fewer monthly expenses, less to clean, and less to worry about! This can provide more freedom for your parents to explore new things and experiences.The signs that someone may need to downsize into Assisted Living:Are your parents eating balanced meals regularly? Are your parents still able to get around safely? (Keep an eye out for bruises or minor injuries that may indicate recent falls/accidents)Are they wearing fresh, clean clothes each time your visit? Are they laundering towels and linens regularly?Are they able to manage their medications appropriately? (Look for stockpiled or expired medications)Do they have difficulty moving around their home? (Are there blocked walkways or stairs that are causing issues?)If you notice that your parents are struggling to stay safe and healthy in their home, then it is time to consider discussing assisted living. Keeping an eye out for warning signs can give you time to talk about moving before they have an accident. Once you decide that your parents should downsize, what do you do? The best way to broach the subject is to have an open and honest conversation with your parents. Explain your feelings and concerns but let them know that the decision is theirs.Giving your parents the CHAT:Communicate openly. Explain your concerns and why you believe that downsizing would be beneficial. If you are worried about their safety or if you want them to be closer to you, be direct and say so. Have an open mind. Your parents may have different opinions and feelings towards the situation. Respect their position and listen when they talk.Ask questions. Ask how your parents are feeling about the conversation and about downsizing. If they have concerns, address them.Talk to an expert. Reach out to your local Senior Move Manager and ask questions about the downsizing process. If your parents have any questions, pass them along.The hardest part of the process is having an open and honest conversation. Something to keep in mind is that this process takes time! There will be strong feelings and deep emotions; you will most likely need several sessions of talking with your parents before any decision is made. Don't be tempted to rush your parents into a choice they are not 100% on board with. But if you start the process and take the time to have meaningful conversations, both your parents and yourself will feel more confident about a transition to a new space. More tips about helping your parents decide to downsize and transition can be found in our book, Chronological Order: The Fine Print for a Large Life.

Blended families are when people get remarried, but have children from a previous marriage. This can be a little trickier for estate planning, but nonetheless, very possible! This has become an increasingly common arrangement.The biggest concern is ensuring assets are divided accordingly. In the event a Will is left solely to your new spouse, will your children be a factor in the surviving spouses own estate planning documents or beneficiaries of accounts you left for your surviving spouse? Do not worry, there are systems in place for this occurrence.One way to ensure your children will still receive an inheritance from you is a trust. A Trust is established to hold your assets and will state how you want the assets to be distributed. An example, your spouse can receive some assets outright, and an income from other assets. Then when your spouse passes away, your children will receive the assets that your spouse was just receiving income. Just be sure to voice your concerns to your attorney to ensure that your wishes are honored even after your death.Another example: if you have your new spouse as a beneficiary on your retirement accounts, such as an IRA or 401K. You may have your children listed as your contingent beneficiaries. If you are survived by your spouse, the spouse will now own that retirement account. The contingent beneficiaries are no longer a part of the plan. Your spouse needs to update the beneficiaries, and may not include your children as the primary beneficiaries to the account. Again, these are issues to discuss with your attorney and prepare a plan that will give your spouse the income from the retirement account, but the remainder to your children upon the death of your spouse.While blended families can seem more complex, it is very important to plan ahead. Even if families are all getting along now, unfortunately, relationships can change after someone passes away. Your new spouse also will have similar concerns to make sure his or her children, or other family members are not forgotten. Just be sure to sit down with your new spouse and any family members you wish to involve and discuss your wishes in the event of your passing. At the end of the day these decisions are yours to make, whether that coincides with the wishes of all parties involved, or not. Contact us to get started with your estate plan.

Presbyterian SeniorCare Network, one of western Pennsylvanias largest aging services providers, opened a first-of-its-kind on-site health clinic to serve the residents of its affordable housing apartments in the Washington area. The clinic is located inside Bellmead Apartments, 815 S. Main St., Washington, which serves about 120 residents. A ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony was held March 16.  The new, on-site clinic means Bellmead residents can make doctors appointments and visit the clinic without having to leave the apartment building.  Residents of two other nearby apartments operated by the Network HaveLoch Commons and Heritage House of Houston can schedule appointments to receive care directly inside their apartments. These two apartments serve a combined 90 residents.This Collaborative Healthy Living Model was made possible by a $500,000 Healthy Aging Challenge grant from the Henry L. Hillman Foundation. Curana Health, a primary care medical provider group, is partnering with Presbyterian SeniorCare Network in this effort. Celeste Golonski, senior vice president of strategic initiatives for Presbyterian SeniorCare Network, said this will help older adults to navigate the healthcare system more easily. We understand the healthcare system is overwhelming, complicated, and frustrating especially for seniors, Golonski said. Our goal is for every senior to get the care and services they need, when needed, in the way they choose. More clinics are expected to open throughout the year in affordable housing communities across the Network. The overall effort is an outgrowth of the new Center for Innovation and Care Transformation at Presbyterian SeniorCare Network. About Presbyterian SeniorCare NetworkFor 95 years, Presbyterian SeniorCare Network has been focused on Making Aging Easier  for older adults and their families. Presbyterian SeniorCare Network serves more than 6,500 older adults through in-home and community-based programs across 11 Western Pennsylvania counties.