Solo Aging: Live & Interactive Discussion

A discussion with the founder of the Navigating Solo Network to explore the wide variety of topics of interest to solo agers and the resources available.

Navigating Solo Network Founder, Solo Aging Advocate and Educator and Board Certified Independent Patient Advocate (BCPA)  

• https://navigatingsolo.com/
• ailene@beaconpatientsolutions.com 

Listen to this episode on Podcast

Questions Asked:

• Finding a Health Care Power of Attorney/Proxy is one of the most challenging tasks for Solo Agers, particularly those with limited social networks and financial means. What are some solutions for people in this situation?
• I am interested in planning for a time when I may not be able to take care of myself and will need a team to make decisions and take over finances. What is that team? How does one vet them in advance? How to build trust? Someone will always have to pay the nursing home. I am in Los Angeles
• If one plans in advance(60’s) and develops relationships w/ professionals over time but then need help @ 80 when professionals may have moved, retired, aged out, how to avoid just being passed to a colleague w/ whom no relationship?
• are there entities that may coach on building the plan with trustworthy people? How does one find them?
• Where do you draw the line between an Advocate and the role of a licsensed Aging Life Care Manager, often  a Master's Level licensed Social Worker?
• what is the role of a geriatric care manager?
• Sorry, came in late. Q: are you aware of this phenomenon internationally, and have you connected + learned “best practices” from connecting with others in foreign countries? (or is it different cuz they have great social services systems?). Thank you!
• "I spoke with a Solo Ager last week. She was considering to move to a city where there was an Age-Friendly Village (Village Movement).
• For those with anxiety to ask a specific person for support, I believe it can be easier to join a Village (a group of Older Adilts helping each other to Age-in-Place). 
• What’s your opinion on Villages as a resource for Solo Agers?"
• How can I get Ms Gerhardt to speak at my NARFE chapter meeting in April?
• Joined mid-event. Apologies if already asked:  with this increasing demographic phenomenon, what do you think should/could be included in medical visits for physicians to understand/identify that a patient is a solo ager?
• Do you know about Nesterly?

Chat Transcript

12:06:43     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Link to our top discussions from Feb 2023 https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/proagingnews/top-positive-aging-discussions-february-2023

12:08:26     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Dr. Sara Zeff Geber, PhD https://sarazeffgeber.com/

12:09:00     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Essential Retirement Planning for Solo Agers https://sarazeffgeber.com/essential-retirement-planning-for-solo-agers/

12:11:37     From  Robin Majeski   to   Hosts and panelists : Just thought I’d mention of very good book that addresses solo agers and this is Happy Singlehood, by Kislev, an Israeli sociologist

12:11:48     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Finding a Health Care Power of Attorney/Proxy is one of the most challenging tasks for Solo Agers, particularly those with limited social networks and financial means. What are some solutions for people in this situation?

12:12:36     From  Robin Majeski   to   Hosts and panelists : I wonder if the area agencies on aging could help with finding of health care power of attorney/proxy

12:12:57     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : From Robin Majeski to All Panelists 12:12 PM

I wonder if the area agencies on aging could help with finding of health care power of attorney/proxy

12:13:37     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Navigating Solo Network: https://navigatingsolo.com/

12:14:18     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : From Robin Majeski to All Panelists 12:11 PM

Just thought I’d mention of very good book that addresses solo agers and this is Happy Singlehood, by Kislev, an Israeli sociologist https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Singlehood-Rising-Acceptance-Celebration/dp/0520299140

12:19:07     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Research and Reports https://navigatingsolo.com/research

12:19:32     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : AARP SOLO AGERS: ATTITUDES

AND EXPERIENCES https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/research/surveys_statistics/life-leisure/2021/solo-agers-attitudes-experiences-report.doi.10.26419-2Fres.00428.001.pdf

12:23:46     From  Margie Lidoff   to   Hosts and panelists : Shout out to the local "Villages"- you may be going to address this

12:25:43     From  Daniel Shaw   to   Hosts and panelists : Can you address the risk of social  isolation and loneliness adn how to mitigate it

12:27:23     From  Margi Helsel-Arnold : Aging LIfe Care Managers some practices around the country are now offering packages for Solo Agers—an initial fee/assessment and then annually a visit or call-and obtain all the details for HCPOA —some will assume this role not all though Margi gercare.com

12:28:59     From  TERESA TAM : Wonderful, thank you Margi and Robin!

12:31:39     From  Nancy Ruffner : RE: those solutions request for ideas: We must be intentional to find and become a part of Community. We must build a robust team, not only of professionals as we plan but also in social support. Joining a faith community is one good way (we can contribute before we take out). We can find "our tribe" by finding like-minded folks, whether in leisure pursuits, or volunteering. Walking the road with folks, or all ages, who enjoy what we enjoy. Those intention to build our teams must definitely include a mix of ages, persons younger than ourselves, who will be capable of carrying our the plans we made. (We can go ahead and be that person for persons older than ourselves, now!). I am a Patient Advocate -and- a Solo Ager, and like Ailene and others will teach and walk our talk. We are happy to have the conversations!

12:32:04     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : We had an amazing discussion on the topic of reviewing and building your network   Helping Older Adults and Caregivers Build the Networks They Need for Successful Aging https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/videos/helping-older-adults-and-caregivers-build-the-networks-they-need-for-successful-aging

12:32:50     From  susan ventura : As a shy introvert with some social anxiety I really struggle with making connections

12:32:54     From  Nancy Ruffner : Accountability, she is saying. Learn from, and with each other. Yes!

12:37:18     From  Pat Olsen   to   Hosts and panelists : Susan: Great Ted Talk earlier this month on friendship/ connection- with some “ how to “ ideas. “The secret to making new friends as an adult” by Marisa Franco

12:37:24     From  Sybil Harrington : Some states automatically file your Advance Directives on a statewide database so hospitals have access.

12:37:46     From  Re   to   Hosts and panelists : Great idea “to go bag”!  I had to go to the hospital a few weeks ago and didn’t even have my eye class

12:38:21     From  Barbara Patigalia   to   Hosts and panelists : Speak to the issue of choosing a health care & financial individual who is younger rather than same age or older so they are there when you need them.

12:39:44     From  TERESA TAM : I agree, Nancy! And the sooner people can start thinking about this in their lives, the better!

12:40:36     From  Jennifer Brown : Where do you draw the line between an Advocate and an the role of an Aging Life Care Manager who is often a master's level licensed  Social Worker?

12:41:34     From  Carolyn Warren   to   Hosts and panelists : Thanks for this very important discussion.  I feel inspired to take action and stop procrastinating.

12:41:41     From  Manuel Acevedo : I spoke with a Solo Ager last week. She was considering to move to a city where there was an Age-Friendly Village (Village Movement).

12:42:47     From  Manuel Acevedo : For those with anxiety to ask a specific person for support, I believe it can be easier to join a Village (a group of Older Adults helping each other to Age-in-Place). What’s the speaker opinion on Villages as a resource for Solo Agers?

12:43:37     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Aging Life Care™️, also known as geriatric care management, is a holistic, client-centered approach to caring for older adults or others facing ongoing health challenges. Working with families, the expertise of Aging Life Care Professionals provides the answers at a time of uncertainty. https://www.aginglifecare.org/

12:43:51     From  Renee Dunham   to   Hosts and panelists : I know of an “intentional” community residence in Oregon which embraces elders, giving them a support group.  Is there a way to identify other such communities?

12:44:53     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Here are the Aging Life Care Pros who are Positive Aging Community Champions https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/search_results?sid=31&tid=14

12:47:05     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community   to   Renee Dunham and all panelists : Cohousing is an intentional, collaborative neighborhood that combines private homes with shared indoor and outdoor spaces designed to support an active and interdependent community life. Cohousing is not a financial or legal model, but rather a descriptive term that emphasizes the active participation of residents in everything from design to governance. https://www.cohousing.org/

12:47:17     From  S French   to   Hosts and panelists : In future, it would be helpful if you would allow us to save the Chat. Thank you.

12:48:57     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community   to   S French and all panelists : the chat will be available on the recording link later this afternoon at https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/

12:50:28     From  E Bu   to   Hosts and panelists : Do you have time dollar setups with the groups?

12:51:01     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Let Us Know You Are Interested in Connecting with Other Solo Agers in Your Area https://navigatingsolo.com/regionalgroupinterest

12:52:14     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Upcoming events https://navigatingsolo.com/upcomingevents

12:53:12     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Here are our discussions on solo aging including the authors of the referenced books https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/videos?q=solo+aging

12:55:34     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Aging alone: Who will care for 1M 'kinless' Americans? https://www.advisory.com/daily-briefing/2022/12/06/kinless-seniors

12:57:15     From  Crystal Thomas : The Golden Girls ????????

12:58:44     From  Manuel Acevedo : Thank you Ailene and Steve for answering my question!

13:00:00     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : This directory of cohousing communities in the US is a self-reported resource supported by Cohousing US.  The content displayed here is entered and updated by each community individually and not by CohoUS. https://www.cohousing.org/find-cohousing/finding-cohousing/

13:00:12     From  Elisabeth Green : except for the community I was in where the men bullied the women until 3 died. They took my money and literally kicked me out.

13:01:39     From  S French   to   Hosts and panelists : Thanks so much for doing what you’re doing! I must leave now but look forward to future events. ????

13:02:09     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Time Banking & Service Exchange: Advancing the culture and support to community https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/videos/time-banking-service-exchange-advancing-the-culture-and-support-to-community

13:03:08     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : ailene@beaconpatientsolutions.com

13:04:33     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Share a home with someone you can trust for over 1 month stays. Renters can lend a hand for discounted rent. https://www.nesterly.com/

13:04:39     From  Wendy Pachter : Important for HC professional to identify but not discriminate against solo agers as has been shown to be the case in recent research

13:06:34     From  Renee Dunham   to   Hosts and panelists : How can I copy and paste the chat so I can refer to it later?

13:08:31     From  Nancy Ruffner : A big Thank You to Steve and Ailene, great content!

13:08:44     From  M Hill   to   Hosts and panelists : Ditto!

13:09:00     From  Margi Helsel-Arnold : Thank you Ailene and Steve!

13:09:27     From  Michal Goldman   to   Hosts and panelists : Steve Gurney thank you for your passion and knowledge around this issue. This is my first time and it’s very rich - and you have one more day til the weekend!

13:09:45     From  Wendy Pachter : Thank you!  Very helpful New info!