Scottsdale Guide to Solo Aging: Future Planning Tips

The US Census Bureau has reported that nearly one third of all seniors in the country are living alone and also aging alone. This population of older adults represent a growing trend of “solo agers” who are living at home independently, without a spouse or children to depend upon for physical, emotional, or practical help.

According to the Washington Post, solo agers are a particularly vulnerable demographic. 500 people who are aging alone were surveyed, and nearly 70% of them reported being unable to identify a friend or family member who could be of help to them when having health problems, and about 35% reported not having friends or family who could help them with their various challenges.

While solo aging is often perceived to be bleak and lonely, the truth is that it doesn’t have to be. With the right plan and the right help, aging alone can be a very fulfilling experience. Each and every one of us must plan for the future, whether we are living alone or not. However, with the realities as a solo ager in mind, the earlier you start considering the future the better.

Financial planning is one of the most important aspects of aging. As a solo ager, most of the decisions you make depend upon the amount of money you have in your bank account. A retired couple will spend up to three hundred thousand dollars for the remaining years of their life on healthcare and other out of pocket expenses. This includes home health care aides, geriatric care managers, elder law attorneys, and aging life care professionals.

Solo agers should also consider their housing options and decide how best to continue aging. They might want to consider downsizing to a smaller, more manageable home better suited to a single occupant. And in whatever house they choose to reside in, a good idea would be to consider home modifications that will ensure the living environment is both safe and accessible.

It is also a natural consequence of aging that as you grow older, so too will your healthcare needs grow and change as well. Aging well and maintaining a comfortable quality of life must be accompanied by the right healthcare plan and team of medical providers by your side. By ensuring proper medical care for your changing needs as you age through your twilight years, you can ensure that your health is taken care of and your body is kept in top form allowing you to maintain your life and independence for much longer than you otherwise might.

It’s also a good idea to think about legal issues as well, such as legal guardianship or who in your life you might want to take over in a financial capacity in the event that you lose the ability to make these decisions for yourself. This person can be a friend, a relative, or even a professional who specializes in providing these services. As a solo ager, it will be even more important to think ahead and have these in place while you are still relatively young and healthy.