Senior Spotlight: Resources For Solo Agers

Aging looks different for everyone, and the retirement plan that fits a couple or individual surrounded by family may look very different than someone who is aging without such 'built-in' supports. AARP defines a solo ager as “an older person with neither a partner nor surviving children.” Renowned aging speaker & author Sara Zeff Geber has reported that 12 million adults over the age of 65 live alone, which is 27% of the population! This figure could be as high as 44% of women living alone by age 75.

Let’s start off by clarifying that solo aging is not a ‘bad’ thing, but in reality, it can come with some unexpected hardships. The purpose of today’s article is to direct you to some resources that ensure you and your loved ones are prepared to live your very best quality of life no matter if you choose to age alone or do so out of changing circumstances.

Like anything in life, aging alone is a mix of pros and cons. Greater lifestyle independence and freedom, less built-in emotional support, greater intention in creating one’s support system, less financial resources. We have compiled some articles below that touch on different aspects of solo agers; we believe this is a topic of growing interest and will include updates in the year to come as well.

SOLO AGERS: RESOURCES

FORBES: Solo Agers: Plan NOW If You Want To Thrive In Later Life

Excerpt: “Older Americans today are entering the years in which 70% of us will likely need care. Without a strong familial and/or social network, there may be no one to provide the kind of care being given by the families of our current 80, 90, and 100+ year-olds. Boomers must take matters into their own hands and begin to explore their options and available resources for the future.”

NEXT AVENUE: What We All Need to Know About Solo Aging

Excerpt: “…through the dedicated service of social workers, gerontologists and geriatricians, the unique challenges of the solo ager have been identified. The most recent research project, headed by Rupal Parekh, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Texas at Arlington, School of Social Work, with the Elder Orphan Group, uncovers the preliminary data that brings clarity about the issues facing this segment of the population.”

NEXT AVENUE: How to Thrive as a Solo Ager

Excerpt: “In this collection of Next Avenue stories, experts offer personal advice and resources for navigating social, emotional and practical topics that solo agers may want to consider. For instance, how do you develop or strengthen your safety net of key individuals to help you grow older? How do you prepare for the rest of your life in terms of health care needs, housing, financial wellbeing, end-of-life directives and estate planning? In a world that became more isolated in the pandemic, how can you find meaningful connections with others when your options are limited?”

AARP: Solo Agers Are Optimistic About Quality of Life

Excerpt: “Most solo agers associate living alone as they age with positive feelings like independence (60%), satisfaction (50%), and happiness (38%). Few report feeling sad (13%) or angry (2%). However, they are more likely than the general 50-plus population to feel that they lack companionship, to feel left out, and to feel isolated from others. Still, as they age, this group adjusts. While about half (49%) of those ages 50–59 hope to find a spouse or live-in partner, just 27% of those ages 60–69 are looking for a mate.”

Bobbi Decker
DRE#00607999

Broker Associate
650.346.5352 cell
650.577.3127 efax
www.bobbidecker.com
NAR Instructor….“Designations Create Distinctions”
CIPS, SRS, ABR, CRS, SRES, GRI, CLHMS, REI, AHWD, RSPS, MSLG

Bobbi Decker & Associates fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. For more information, please visit: http://portal.hud.gov/