Downsizing in Australia - Mark O'Shea | Page 14

DOWNSIZING IN AUSTRALIA Then the kids leave home and suddenly, Mum and Dad are ‘empty nesters’ living alone in a home designed for a family. So, the empty nesters now have a decision to make. Do they stay in the family home for as long as they can, skip the downsize option and head straight for the retirement village or aged care? This is a question that many senior Australians find difficult to even think about, let alone seriously consider. My advice is DO NOT wait for a crisis to consider downsizing! Take action when you want to—not when you have to! Leaving the decision to downsize usually leads to pressure, then stress, which ultimately leads to a possible bigger crisis. 014