Aging brings valuable experience and wisdom, but sometimes it comes with its own set of challenges. Often, adult children, spouses, or immediate family members step in to help ensure their loved ones live safely and comfortably in their later years.
Without someone nearby, though, some important aspects of life can become even more challenging for individuals to manage as they grow older. While having friends and loved ones close by can be helpful, a recent survey indicated that more American seniors enjoy independent and fulfilling lives without relying on support from adult children or immediate family members than in any other country around the world.
In this article, we’ll discuss solo aging and share a few practical strategies to help you confidently plan for the future you want.
What Is a Solo Ager
Solo aging refers to older adults who live alone, either by choice or due to other circumstances, without the support of a spouse, adult children, or immediate family. If you’re in this situation, you are not alone; more and more seniors are thriving independently! In fact, nearly 25% of men and almost half of all women 75 or older live alone, and the number of solo agers is expected to increase in the coming years.
Challenges for Seniors Aging Alone
While solo agers often enjoy more autonomy compared to their counterparts, there are some potential challenges and concerns you need to be aware of if you plan to age alone, including:
- Practical Assistance: Due to the natural effects of aging, many seniors may struggle or be unable to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, dressing, and eating. Without someone nearby to offer additional support, solo agers may not have someone to call upon when these needs arise.
- Social Isolation: Our social circles tend to shrink as we grow older. As such, many older adults, especially solo agers, may face an increased risk of feeling lonely in their later years, which can negatively affect mental and emotional well-being.
- Physical Health: Physical health is another key concern for solo agers. Seniors who live alone may lack someone to call in case of a medical emergency. For individuals managing a chronic condition or those with limited mobility, it can be especially difficult to find help when unexpected medical situations arise.
- Safety Concerns: If you’re planning to spend your later years solo, it’s important to ensure you can do so safely. Many older adults experience natural changes, like memory challenges and decreased mobility, that can make it unsafe or even dangerous for them to live alone in their later years. In some cases, medical emergencies can go unattended or even unnoticed.
- Financial Difficulties: Many solo agers also report finding it hard to stay on top of their finances, often due to rising costs of living and changing health care needs. Furthermore, tasks like personal budgeting and paying bills can start to feel burdensome for older solo agers. Plus, seniors are increasingly the target of online scams, which can also put a solo ager’s financial wellness at risk.
- Malnutrition: A well-balanced diet is essential for healthy aging. However, for many older adults, certain activities of daily living (ADLs), like meal preparation, can become challenging, leading some seniors to eat poorly or skip meals altogether. Additionally, certain age-related conditions, like limited mobility or memory issues, can make cooking unsafe for seniors who live alone.
- Medication Management: It’s common for older adults to have trouble keeping up with their medication. Skipping medication can pose significant health and safety risks, especially for someone with existing medical conditions or memory challenges.
Advantages of Solo Aging
Aging solo doesn’t necessarily mean being isolated and lonely. While living alone may have its challenges, solo aging offers numerous distinct advantages, including:
- More Freedom and Autonomy: One of the greatest perks of aging alone is the freedom to truly live life on your terms. Many solo agers have little to no family obligations, allowing them to make decisions without worrying about impacting other people. Imagine waking up and deciding exactly how your day will unfold. Want to have breakfast at noon? Go for it! Fancy a spontaneous trip to the museum? You can!
- Deeper Social Connections: While social interaction is important for everyone, solo agers often have to build a strong network of people they can rely on for help. This could include close friends, neighbors, or people they meet through shared interests and activities. And, without the daily obligations that come with family life, seniors who live alone may find they have more time and energy to nurture their friendships.
- Personal Growth: With more time for yourself, solo aging offers a wonderful opportunity to focus on personal goals and interests. Whether you want to share your knowledge and experience to help others or explore lifelong learning opportunities, you have the freedom to pursue what matters most to you.
- Flexibility in Lifestyle Choices: Another key benefit is the increased flexibility in your lifestyle. Without needing to plan or coordinate with a spouse or adult children, you have more freedom to enjoy hobbies and activities you’ve always wanted to try. And if you ever feel like moving to a sunnier climate or closer to a favorite park, you can do that too!
Essential Strategies for a Successful Retirement
Whether you or someone close to you is considering solo aging, it’s important to think ahead and start planning as early as possible. However, navigating the concerns of growing older alone is never easy, and it’s normal to feel unsure about where to start.
Here are a few important things you’ll need to keep in mind:
Housing Options
When it comes to housing, seniors who age alone usually have more freedom to choose a living situation that feels right for them. While many older adults prefer to age in place, it’s always a good idea to seek out guidance from a geriatric professional to help ensure you can live safely on your own. In some situations, solo agers may need to make necessary modifications, like adding grab bars in the bathroom, installing better lighting, or adding non-slip flooring to help make their home safer.
If you need more support down the line, there are many senior living options available to support a wide range of needs. You can speak to a geriatric manager to help you figure out which option works best for your specific needs and situation. In addition to benefiting from assistance, you’ll also find plenty of opportunities to connect with other solo agers.
Senior Living Communities
For many solo agers, senior living communities present an appealing and empowering choice. They’re designed to support independence while offering the connection, safety, and services that become increasingly important with age. Residents enjoy private apartments and maintain full control over their daily routines, but they also have easy access to social activities, wellness programs, and on-site medical support if needed.
Senior living communities can help solo agers thrive by removing common burdens like home maintenance, meal preparation, and transportation challenges. Access to nutritious meals, fitness classes, and group outings promotes a healthy lifestyle, while the sense of community helps prevent isolation — a major risk for seniors aging alone. For those seeking peace of mind and a vibrant lifestyle without sacrificing autonomy, senior living can be an ideal solution.
Social and Emotional Connections
Growing older without family around can be challenging. Many solo agers report feeling lonely or isolated, which can negatively impact both mental and emotional well-being. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to meet new friends as a solo ager. Consider reaching out to your neighbors, checking in with lifelong friends, and connecting with extended family members. If they live far away, you can use digital tools, like messaging apps or video calling, to stay in touch. If you love helping others, volunteering your time and skills for a good cause can be a wonderful way to make new friends.
Safety and Practical Support
Safety should be a priority for all seniors, but it’s particularly important for solo agers. Many seniors who live alone will likely need extra help at some point in their lives. This can include things like assistance with grocery shopping, attending doctor’s appointments, driving, managing medication, and more. If you plan to age alone, it’s a good idea to build a reliable network of extended family members, friends, and professional advisors to help you address the potential safety and practical challenges. Furthermore, aging solo doesn’t necessarily mean aging alone; there are countless senior living communities with solo agers like yourself that would be happy to welcome you!
Long-Term Health Care
It’s normal for older adults to experience health challenges in later life. Even if you’re feeling healthy now, it’s a good idea to be proactive and plan for the unexpected. This can include setting up a health directive that outlines your wishes, getting long-term insurance coverage to help cover costs, or filling out a health proxy so someone you trust can legally make health care decisions on your behalf, should you become unable to do so. If you’re managing an existing medical condition, consider speaking to your doctor to help you figure out what options may be available to you.
Legal and Financial Planning
It’s also important to have someone who can make legal decisions and manage finances on your behalf if you’re incapacitated. This usually involves setting up a power of attorney, which is a legal document that grants someone you trust the ability to legally make decisions on your behalf. However, it’s important to know that the rules and requirements for a power of attorney (POA) can vary depending on where you live. Some states have specific forms, laws, or procedures that must be followed to make a POA valid. To ensure everything is done correctly, it’s generally a good idea to consult with a qualified legal professional who understands your state’s requirements.
Tools and Resources for Solo Agers
Navigating the challenges of solo aging is never easy, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed at times. Thankfully, there are many resources designed to support older adults, including those who live alone:
- AARP – Aging and Independent Living: AARP’s website contains a wealth of useful information on aging, including resources on living options, financial planning, and more. To learn more, you can visit AARP’s website to explore their wide range of helpful articles and tools.
- National Institute on Aging (NIA): The National Institute on Aging provides research-based advice on a wide range of aging topics, including health, safety, and support. Their website includes resources on topics like managing health care, planning for the future, and understanding aging-related changes. Visit their site at www.nia.nih.gov for more information.
- National Council on Aging (NCOA): The National Council on Aging is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of older adults. They offer tools for financial security, benefits, and health care planning, including a Benefits CheckUp tool to help you find financial assistance programs. Visit their website to explore all their resources.
- The StoryPoint Group Resource Center: The StoryPoint Group Resource Center is a trusted destination for seniors and their families seeking expert guidance and support. Visitors will find a wide range of relevant, easy-to-read articles covering topics like nutrition, family dynamics, cognitive health, and more — designed to inform, empower, and enhance the senior living journey.
Solo Aging With StoryPoint Group Communities
At StoryPoint Group communities, our residents’ needs are at the heart of everything we do. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed lifestyle with convenient access to amenities and plenty of opportunities to socialize, need extra help with activities of daily living (ADLs), or simply want a place to call home, our goal is to help you make the most of every day, your way.
To learn more about what it’s like to live in one of our communities or just to say hello, feel free to contact us or give us a call at 1-844-275-9990.
