What makes a house a home? And what happens when that home no longer works for the person living in it? In this episode, we explore the emotional and practical challenges of downsizing and moving later in life — from letting go of decades of possessions to navigating dementia, family dynamics, and the fear of what comes next. 

Inside this episode: 

1:06 – Deconstructing Home: Dr. Jason Karlawish explores what makes a home more than just four walls and why dementia can change the way someone experiences their environment. 

8:24 – Professional Downsizers: Move managers Susan Blumenfeld and Charlotte Schutzman explain the emotional and logistical challenges of helping older adults decide what stays, what goes, and what their possessions are really worth. 

13:19 – 10x Harder: Kristi Mabe shares what it was like to move her own mother into assisted living, and why helping a family member can be much harder than helping a client. 

20:56 – “It’s the People, It’s Not the Place”: Mary Ellen Weber shares how moving to a retirement community helped her and her husband find connection, independence, and a richer daily life. 

25:00 – Tied to the Mast of Aging in Place: Dr. Karlawish discusses the risks of being too committed to living in one place when a home becomes isolating or no longer meets someone’s needs. 

36:36 – Coming Home: Jake and Dr. Karlawish turn to The Odyssey to consider what really makes a place home. 

Resources available on the episode webpage linked below 

• Learn more about New Roots Move Management 

• Learn more about All Moving Matters 


• Find a local move management company  

Special thanks this episode to Kristi Mabe, Charlotte Schutzman, Susan Blumenfeld, and Mary Ellen Weber, as well as today’s co-host, Jason Karlawish, MD. 

The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Producer Jake Johnson and Executive Producer Jason Karlawish. Contributors include Morgann Adams, Terrence Casey, Dalia Elsaid, Emily Largent, and Allison Lynn. 

The Age of Aging is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub Fund.