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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Annalisa Barbieri

How can I persuade my elderly parents to downsize – and get rid of some stuff?

Older parents looking stern while their adult child looks confused.

My parents are 84 and in fairly good health, although my dad has a few issues. I am in my late 50s and was widowed young with a toddler. My parents came to live with me for a couple of years, giving up their house and jobs to help, so when we went our separate ways I bought them a house and put it in my name to prevent inheritance issues.

I am trying to help them downsize from a three-bedroom family home to a more manageable ground-floor flat. I have finally found a property that is acceptable to both of them (not an easy task) and have a buyer for the house.

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