Moving Forward: A Compassionate Guide to Planning Your Next Chapter

How to Navigate Senior Living Options as a Caregiver.

Deciding whether to stay in the family home or explore retirement or supportive living is one of the most personal and complex choices a person can face. It’s rarely a snap decision. For most people, it unfolds slowly, through moments of reflection, signs of change, and growing conversations with family.

I support people across Edmonton and surrounding communities who are somewhere in this process. Often, an adult child reaches out after noticing signs that things aren’t working as well at home anymore. Or someone contacts me directly, unsure what the next chapter could look like, but sensing that what used to feel manageable has started to feel like too much.

What’s important to remember is: this decision isn’t just about square footage or real estate. It’s about how you want to live your life.

Why People Start Thinking About Moving Forward

No two situations are the same, but I often hear similar concerns from the people I work with:

• The home has become a source of stress. Ongoing maintenance, stairs, or even basic tasks like cooking or cleaning may have started feeling like heavy lifting.

  
  

• Health or mobility has shifted. What once felt safe no longer does. There may be new health needs, falls, or difficulty managing personal care.

  
  

• Loneliness has crept in. If driving is no longer an option or social connections have dwindled, it’s easy to start feeling isolated at home.

  
  

• Grief has changed the landscape. The loss of a spouse or a long-time neighbour can bring both emotional and practical changes that reshape what home feels like.

  
  

• Family support isn’t nearby. When adult children or trusted supports live far away, safety and planning become even more important.

  
  

Exploring a move is often about reclaiming ease, connection, and support, ideally before an urgent situation forces a rushed decision.

Where I Come In

I offer a Senior Living Navigation Package for people navigating this transition. Whether you’re the one considering a move or you’re supporting someone else through it.

Here’s what you can expect:

• We begin with a conversation. I take time to understand your situation, listen to your concerns, and identify what matters most to you.

  
  

• We explore your options. That might include retirement living, supportive living, or something in between. I’ll walk you through the differences, costs, eligibility, and waitlists—so you don’t have to piece it together alone.

  
  

• We make a plan. Together, we map out next steps, timelines, and what kind of support might be needed to prepare for a future move, even if it’s six months or a year away.

  
  

• I support the emotional side, too. These are big life changes. It’s common to feel grief, guilt, or even relief. All of it is valid, and I hold space for that part of the journey, too.

  
  

This isn’t about pushing people toward a particular decision. It’s about providing trusted, trauma-informed support that helps you make informed choices at your own pace.

You’re Not Alone—And There Are Resources Available

I was recently invited to be part of an expert panel discussion hosted by Eager Beaver Moving, where we talked about exactly this: what it means to navigate a major move later in life, and how families can approach it with care and intention. If you're curious, you can watch the webinar HERE—it’s full of helpful perspectives and practical tips.

These conversations are happening more often, and that’s a good thing. It means we’re starting to normalize the fact that change in later life is not something to avoid or fear. With the right support, it can be a time of reconnection, renewed safety, and even new possibilities.

Thinking About a Move? Here’s a Starting Point.

Here are a few reflection questions I often offer to clients:

• Is your current living situation supporting your daily well-being, or depleting your energy?

  
  

• Are there physical barriers in your home that are starting to get in the way of daily life?

  
  

• Do you feel safe, connected, and supported where you are?

  
  

• If you're a family member, what concerns keep you up at night?

  
  

If these questions stir something in you, know that it doesn’t mean a decision needs to happen right away. But it may be a good time to start exploring, gathering information, and having honest conversations.

Let’s Take the Next Step Together

If you’re starting to think about what comes next, or you’re helping someone else through it, reach out. My Senior Living Navigation Package is here to provide clarity, advocacy, and emotional support every step of the way.

There’s no pressure. Just the space and guidance you need to move forward with confidence whenever you’re ready.

If you would like to learn more about how I can help,

schedule a discovery call today!