There’s a growing population of solo agers: older adults who live alone and don't have adult children.
While older adults say there are many joys that come with living alone, many have concerns about who they can count on for help when they need it.
If you are a solo ager, having a plan and a good support network can help you stay as independent as possible and continue to live a life you love.
More than a quarter of Americans 65 and older are living alone, according to Pew Research’s analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.
That includes 31% of women, who are more likely to be content living alone, according to AARP research, and 19% of men.
In general, the research shows they take good care of themselves.
“Older adults who live alone are generally healthier, more cognitively capable and more socially connected than the broad group of older people living with their spouse or adult children because they have to be,” Harvard Medical School Assistant Professor Dr. Sachin Shah said in the report.
Still, the report found solo agers are more worried about losing independence than other older adults and more likely to fear being moved somewhere against their will or having a court appoint someone to make decisions for them.
In one study by UC San Francisco, 38% of older adults living alone said they didn’t have someone they could count on for help with daily needs if they had serious health problems.
The first and most important thing many solo agers do is intentionally build their social circles, a critical first step for staying physically and mentally healthy as well as having people to stay in touch with.
A 2024 University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging found that 33% of older adults experience loneliness, and loneliness rates among those in fair or poor mental health can be as high as 75%.
Joining fitness classes, volunteer programs, faith-based organizations, or groups like book clubs gives older adults opportunities to connect with others who share their interests.
Kendal at Home member Dick Viering began volunteering at Stewart’s Caring Place, a cancer wellness center, after his wife died from the disease in 2012.
A former school superintendent, he used his background in administration to help plan a campaign that raised money for a new building for the center and continues to work there as a greeter for their evening programs.
Viering said he considers it a privilege to talk with families and help them through some of the most difficult times of their lives.
“Some of the things we do there boggle my mind,” said Viering. “Any support, any service you can think of, we either provide it, or we’ll find it for you. It’s a wonderful place.”
Extended family members, close friends, neighbors, and colleagues can also help solo agers expand their networks. For instance, if you don’t have children, you may spend more time with your nieces, nephews, friends’ children, or former students. The relationships you build may even be more intentional and dependable than family support many people assume will be available when the time comes.
Kendal at Home care coordinators play an important role in connecting people to other members and resources they may need, whether it’s someone to help with occasional home repairs or a nurse who can support their recovery after a hospital stay.
Regardless of your living situation, having a living will and a designated power of attorney gives you the confidence that someone you trust will carry out your wishes.
The people named in these documents could be a trusted friend, a neighbor you’ve known for years, or a financial advisor.
The key legal documents every solo ager needs include:
To learn more, read our step-by-step guide to estate planning.
The costs of long-term care costs can be significant. According to Genworth and CareScout:
Medicare may cover some of the costs of short-term needs, such as physical therapy after a serious illness or injury, but it does not typically cover continuous care, meal delivery, or services
Traditional long-term care insurance can help but has limitations. For instance, many policies have an elimination period that requires you to wait 90-120 days before it will cover expenses, which can add up to significant out-of-pocket costs.
Kendal at Home offers the option for care coverage that fills these gaps.
You can choose the level of coverage you want with a range of daily benefits that is based on the average cost of care where you live.
Coverage begins the day you become a member, so there’s no waiting period.
Your care coordinator will work with you to ensure you receive the care you need when you need it. Because they already have a relationship with you and stay in close contact, they often notice things others may miss, like when you could use some extra help around the house.
Solo agers are part of all socioeconomic groups but may have less of a safety net because they lack the benefit of a second income.
Financial advisors typically recommend older adults who live alone build up enough of an emergency fund to cover 12 to 18 months of living expenses, which is twice the recommendation for households with two people.
This helps them account for unexpected medical costs, home repairs, or gaps in care coverage.
Depending on their age and whether they’re still working, they may be able to increase their retirement savings with “catch-up contributions” or even set aside additional money through a health savings account.
Employees may be able to contribute up to $8,300 per year toward an HSA, said Megan Hammann, CFP, CMAA and CEPA, Director of Financial Planning for Wealthquest, a Cincinnati-based wealth management firm.
An employer’s contributions give you additional funds to cover the cost of qualified medical expenses, including long-term care insurance or a care plan.
There are other options that can help you increase your financial security or offset the cost of care coverage, Hammann said.
It’s also worth noting that some options, including Kendal at Home, may be tax-deductible.
A financial advisor can help you understand how to maximize your assets and understand how different situations may impact your finances.
Learn more about the tax benefits of pre-paying for care coverage.
Many solo agers cherish the freedom to do what they want without needing to consider the needs of a spouse, children, or grandchildren.
For Yolanda Cruz, living alone means traveling often and planning her own itinerary, although she enjoys going on trips with her friend Ruth, a fellow adventurer she met through Kendal at Home.
While some may choose to live with a friend or join a retirement community, research shows most people today want to stay in their own homes.
If that’s important to you, consider what proactive steps you may need to take to stay independent.
This could include installing an extra rail on stairs, putting grab bars in your shower, or doing balance exercises to reduce your risk of being injured from a fall.
This is another area where Kendal at Home can help.
A care coordinator who regularly visits your home may notice things you don’t, like tripping hazards or safety concerns.
Kendal also hosts wellness programs on topics including fall prevention to help members reduce their risks.
Regardless of their relationship status, adults 65 and older are at a higher risk for chronic health conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.
Mental health can also suffer, especially if physical health is declining.
About 15% of older adults are diagnosed with depression, according to the National Council on Aging.
There are several things you can do to protect your health, including:
Solo agers thrive when they make their health a priority while staying connected to and invested in other people.
Solo aging, at its best, is a life built entirely on your own terms.
That freedom also comes with the responsibility to plan and build a support system.
Kendal at Home helps you live where you want and how you want by offering support on your terms.
Our care coordinators build personalized plans based on your goals and what matters most to you. They conduct annual assessments to make sure your home is safe and you’re staying physically strong and mentally sharp, and they may recommend resources before you know you need them.
As a member, you are part of a growing community of people who are at similar stages of their life, and you can participate in virtual or in-person events with people who share your interests.
You also have the option for care coverage that meets your needs and your budget, giving you peace of mind.
Yolanda decided to become a member after experiencing the challenges of caring for her mother, who lived alone, and seeing how Kendal helped one of her close friends recover from a serious accident.
Today, she keeps her care coordinator updated on her travels and meets with her once a month, usually just to have a conversation. Her care coordinator does a safety audit of her home each year and gives her a cognitive assessment. While she’s healthy and needs very little today, she knows who to call if her circumstances change.
“I look at this as insurance,” she said. “But it also has had many unexpected benefits. I’ve met many interesting people, and I don’t think I could put a price on that.”
If you're ready to explore what proactive planning looks like in practice, register for a free Kendal at Home virtual seminar.
It's a no-pressure way to learn how membership works, ask questions, and decide whether it's the right fit for you.