Elder Orphans: How to Plan for Aging Alone

Your Host: Cheryl Culbertson, Owner/Founder - Elder Options of Texas

Syndicated columnist Carol Marak and editor at Seniorcare.com talks about what is behind a growing population known as Elder Orphans, those without children or spouses who find themselves aging alone. Carol discusses ways to help manage the many challenges associated with aging alone. Effects of aging land harder on an “elder orphan” because the worry and concern of “what will become of me if I can’t care for myself?” triples when no one is around. An elder orphan has no adult children, spouse or companion to rely on for company, assistance or input. About 29 percent (13.3 million) of noninstitutionalized older persons live alone. The majority of those are women (9.2 million, vs. 4.1 million men). The stresses of living alone will likely worsen for the baby boomers as a group since we have fewer children, more childless marriages and more divorces compared to earlier generations. Carol s also the founder of the Elder Orphan Facebook Group for adults 55 and older Group members discuss challenges associated with growing older and living alone.