Why Every Family Needs a Plan for the Family Home

Published: October 7, 2026
By: Dave Robertson, Broker/Team Leader, LIFE Real Estate Group
Reading Time: 9 min read

For many families, the home is one of their largest financial assets. But its importance goes far beyond its value.

It may be where children grew up, where holidays were celebrated and where decades of memories were created. For an older homeowner, it can also represent independence, familiarity and security.

Yet despite the importance of the family home, many families have never really discussed what should happen to it as their parents grow older.

The assumption is often:

“Mom and Dad will stay there as long as they can.”

That may be exactly what they want—and it may be entirely realistic.

But what does “as long as they can” actually mean?

What happens if maintaining the property becomes difficult? If stairs become challenging? If one spouse dies? If driving is no longer possible? Or if an unexpected health event suddenly changes what is possible?

These conversations are difficult. But they are much easier to have before they become urgent.

That is the idea behind Advanced Home Planning.

What Is Advanced Home Planning?

Advanced Home Planning is the practice of discussing and documenting your values, priorities and wishes for future housing and the family home—before changing circumstances or a crisis forces decisions to be made.

It doesn’t mean deciding that Mom or Dad needs to sell.

In fact, remaining in the family home may be the best plan.

Instead, the conversation begins with questions such as:

• What does home mean to you?
• What does independence look like?
• What would you need to remain comfortably and safely in your home?
• If circumstances changed, what alternatives would you consider?

The objective isn’t to predict the future. It’s to make sure the homeowner has a voice in how the family responds when circumstances change.

Planning Helps Preserve Choice

It may seem counterintuitive, but avoiding conversations about future housing can ultimately reduce a person’s choices.

Imagine an older homeowner who experiences a serious fall or unexpected hospitalization. Suddenly, returning home may require additional care, accessibility modifications or other support.

If the family has never discussed these possibilities, major decisions may need to be made quickly and under considerable stress.

Now imagine that the homeowner has already explained what matters most to them, what assistance they would accept, what housing alternatives they would consider and who they want involved in decisions.

The circumstances may still be difficult.

But the family has something extremely valuable: direction.

Planning early isn’t about taking control away.

It is one of the best ways to preserve it.

Start With the Homeowner’s Priorities

Adult children sometimes become frustrated when a parent refuses to discuss moving.

But consider what the parent may hear when someone says:

“Mom, I don’t think you shouldn’t be living here anymore.”

They may hear:

“You’ve lost your independence.”

Or:

“We’ve already decided what should happen to you.”

A better conversation might begin:

“Mom, I know staying here is important to you. What would you need in order to comfortably stay here as long as possible?”

That changes the conversation.

Instead of beginning with moving, it begins with what matters to the homeowner.

From there, the family can talk about maintenance, accessibility, transportation, home care, finances and other supports that might make remaining at home possible.

And they can also discuss what should happen if those solutions eventually stop working.

Is the Home Still Supporting Independence?

A house that worked wonderfully at age 55 may present different challenges at 75, 85 or 90.

Families should periodically consider:

• Are stairs or bathrooms becoming difficult?
• Is the homeowner comfortably managing maintenance?
• Is the property becoming expensive or physically demanding?
• Is transportation available if driving becomes difficult?
• Is the homeowner becoming socially isolated?
• Could the home accommodate additional support or care?

None of these automatically means someone should move.

The better question is:

Is the home continuing to support the person’s independence, safety and quality of life?

Sometimes the answer is yes.

Sometimes modifications or additional services can make it work.

And sometimes another type of housing may eventually provide greater independence rather than less.

Understand the Options Before You Need Them

Families often begin researching housing alternatives only after something has already changed.

There may be many possibilities: remaining at home with additional support, renovating for accessibility, moving to a bungalow or condominium, renting, living with family, or considering independent or assisted retirement living.

You don’t need to choose among those options today.

But understanding them beforehand makes future decisions much easier.

The same applies to the financial side.

Families should have a general understanding of the home’s market value, ownership and maintenance costs, possible renovation or support costs, estimated proceeds if the property were eventually sold and the cost of alternative housing.

The right answer will be different for every homeowner.

What matters is that the decision is informed rather than rushed.

Decide When to Revisit the Conversation

A good Advanced Home Plan doesn’t just describe what someone wants today.

It also identifies when the family should talk again.

Families might agree to revisit the plan after:

• A serious fall or hospitalization
• The loss of a spouse
• Giving up driving
• Increasing difficulty managing the property
• A significant change in mobility
• Growing social isolation
• Increasing dependence on a family caregiver
• A major change in finances or care needs

A trigger doesn’t automatically mean the house should be sold.

It simply means:

Something has changed. Let’s look at the plan again.

That can make future conversations much less confrontational.

Put the Plan in Writing

An Advanced Home Plan doesn’t need to be complicated.

It can simply document some important answers:

• What matters most to me?
• What would help me remain successfully in my home?
• What future housing options would I consider?
• Who do I want involved in decisions?
• What should eventually happen to my home?
• What changes should cause us to revisit this conversation?

The plan can—and should—change over time.

A plan made at 70 may look different at 75 or 80. The goal isn’t to make an irreversible decision. It’s to create a framework the family can return to as circumstances evolve.

The Best Time to Talk Is Before You Have To

There is rarely a perfect time to discuss aging, changing independence or leaving a longtime home.

That’s why families often postpone the conversation until something forces it.

Advanced Home Planning takes a different approach.

You don’t need to decide today whether you’ll eventually sell the family home. You don’t need to choose a retirement residence. You don’t need to know exactly what the future will look like.

You simply need to begin the conversation.

Because when circumstances eventually change, the people you love should understand what matters most to you.

Start With a Conversation

LIFE Real Estate Group’s Advanced Home Planning process begins with a conversation—not a decision to sell.

We help older homeowners and their families think through future housing needs, understand the role of the family home and develop a practical plan based on the homeowner’s priorities.

Whether that plan involves remaining at home, making changes to the property, downsizing in the future or eventually transitioning to retirement living, the goal is the same:

A little planning today can bring greater clarity, confidence and choice tomorrow.

Let’s start the conversation.