Fostering the right solutions & connections
for more than 33 years
for more than 33 years
Growing older is complex and filled with uncertainties. But growing older alone requires thinking critically about the ever-evolving challenges. Join us for a live and interactive discussion that explores a whole-person approach for living well beyond 65.
Co-Hosted by Carol Marak, Author of Solo and Smart: The Roadmap for a Supportive and Secure Future
Questions Asked:
Chat Transcript:
12:07:40 From Roger Montgomery to Hosts and panelists : Roger here can see and hear do I need a microphone
12:07:52 From Arlene Polangin : Steve, I attended the program Carol did a few months ago. Is this a repeat of that? If so, I may leave early.
12:08:08 From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community to Roger Montgomery and all panelists : no you are good you can type in question
12:08:15 From AnnMarie Riehl to Hosts and panelists : Solo Agers should consider Ferretto’s Smart Plan – have a professional walk beside you to set up and carry your goals. Call Ferretto Eldercare Consulting at 410-661-6720 or ferrettoeldercare.com
12:08:24 From AnnMarie Riehl : Solo Agers should consider Ferretto’s Smart Plan – have a professional walk beside you to set up and carry your goals. Call Ferretto Eldercare Consulting at 410-661-6720
12:08:34 From Roger Montgomery to Hosts and panelists : do I need a camera. sorry new to this
12:10:35 From Joe Sperling : To plan and prepare for solo aging, consider learning about your options for Long-Term Care coverage. There are a variety of options available. I can help you learn what your options are. Contact me: Joe Sperling, 301-980-8869. joe@joesperlinginsurance.com. Independent insurance broker for 30+ years.
12:11:22 From Glenna Crooks : Good point Steve about how one of a couple will die first and leave the other behind. If they're Boomers, they may not have kids...22 million Boomers never had kids
12:12:04 From Eleanor Taylor : Eleanor Taylor of North Shore Village Network, Evanston, Illinois. Thanks for this program today!
12:12:28 From Lisa Cook : Glenna - 22 million - Wow! Thanks for sharing that,
12:13:13 From Joe Sperling : Failing to plan is a plan for failure.
12:13:37 From Glenna Crooks : And, by the way, even if they have kids, since 40% of American Adults live (on average) 700 miles from family, they may not have nearby support.
12:14:26 From Kathleen Steed : With all these resources in the chat, why is there no way to copy the chat?
12:15:39 From Beth Plenn to Hosts and panelists : Hello, it’s my first lecture.
12:15:56 From Glenna Crooks : If memory serves, I believe Steve includes the chat when he posts the recording, which usually happens the same day.
12:16:26 From Kathleen Steed : Thank you.
12:16:49 From Beth Plenn to Hosts and panelists : Beth Southern NJ.
12:16:49 From Arlene Polangin : Didn't Carol do this program a few months ago? If it's a repeat I attended that. Please reply.
12:16:58 From Marjorie Fox : Marjorie Fox, Co-Author with Eleanor Blayney of Women Wise: The Essential Guide to Financial and Lifestyle Decisions as We Age, Amplify Publishing Group, 2022
12:17:26 From Glenna Crooks : This is not a repeat. I talked with her yesterday.
12:18:08 From Arlene Polangin : Steve, Did she do this a few months ago. I attended it so I might leave.
12:18:27 From Gloria Hoffman : I belong to Northwest Village in NW Philadelphia. This is a wonderful organization!!
12:18:48 From Arlene Polangin : I belong to a village.
12:18:51 From Dixcy Bosley : Mexico !
12:19:05 From Tony Burke : would like to know more about your Phila village
12:19:11 From Peter Crouch : Guatemala. GREAT Fishing!!!!
12:19:25 From Rita O'Connor : Ecuador and Uruguay
12:19:36 From Kathleen G to Hosts and panelists : Portugal. Someone found a walkable town with primary care etc close by.
12:19:41 From Dixcy Bosley : Three friends have relocated to Mexico…senior community called Namaste They are motivated to leave b/c US is becoming too fascist
12:20:13 From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : https://nomadcapitalist.com/
12:20:30 From Tom DeMuth : Palisades Village is a wonderful, volunteer based organization helping our neighbors age in place in NW DC.
12:20:58 From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Retire Abroad? Discussion with Dan Prescher, Senior Editor of International Living https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/videos/retire-abroad-discussion-with-dan-prescher-senior-editor-of-international-living
12:22:06 From Margi Helsel-Arnold : Portugal!
12:22:08 From Dixcy Bosley : Another positive feature about relocating is that most countries practice “ slow medicine” Less defensive medicine / over treatment for end of life care.
12:22:09 From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : From Kathleen G to All Panelists 12:19 PM
Portugal. Someone found a walkable town with primary care etc close by.
12:23:37 From Arlene Polangin : This is exactly what she did before. It's from the book she wrote.
12:24:57 From Alison Lynch : totally worth revisiting and considering for self and others
12:27:39 From ana Molina : Tony Burke check out Penn's Village in Philadelphia, Jane Eleey, Executive DIrector info@pennsvillage.org
12:28:35 From Malka Young : Carol, my experience is that friends fall away when person get's sick especially with dementia
12:28:36 From Wanda Jones to Hosts and panelists : I’m new so this is great
12:28:45 From Barbara Sullivan : Good afternoon. Barbara Sullivan, Executive Director, Village to Village Network. www.vtvnetwork.org
12:29:18 From Wanda Jones : I’m new so this is great Carol
12:29:46 From Tony Burke : Thanks Barbara and Ana
12:29:47 From Malka Young : Malka Young, LICSW - JFS Elder Care Solutions
12:30:04 From Malka Young : www.jfsmweldercare.org
12:30:18 From Wanda Jones : Did you post Carol book?
12:30:31 From Glenna Crooks : I'll be talking about those "family, friends, and community" (and other) networks to this group on Sept 29.
12:30:53 From Malka Young : Sana Miguel de Allende
12:30:56 From Dorothy Stiles to Hosts and panelists : After moving a few times, I'd very strongly recommend renting in an area prior to making a long-term commitment.
12:31:08 From Mary Lou Demeo to Hosts and panelists : Please let Carol continue with her slides and presentation. Those of us who are new to the presentation need the context without so many side issues
12:31:13 From Patti Hutton : Excellent information. Patti Hutton, Residences at Vantage Point, Columbia, MD huttonp@vantagepointresidences.org
12:31:15 From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Links to Carols book can be found at https://carolmarak.com/index.html
12:31:15 From Malka Young : That worked well for my aunt until she got congestive heart failure and needed medical help
12:31:22 From Mary Goettelmann : Oaxaca Mexico
12:32:08 From Barbara Rosenfeld : Hi Barbara Sullivan -- you are a great resource for all these topics. I hope you get a chance to contribute more to this disucussion. I am not interested in relocating to a foreign country so I hope we don't stay on this topic.
12:32:13 From JoAnn Lynn : I am now a solo ager. I am very grateful for the Positive Aging programs that I have attended throughout Covid. I was prepared. Thank you!
12:32:34 From Gloria Levin : San Miguel de Allende. A friend just returned from Portugal, having realized that his relocation did not work. He felt too isolated. Another friend is in Portugal and is connected in with ex pats there.
12:33:19 From Barbara Rosenfeld : Barbara Rosenfeld sent message to Barbara Sullivan.
12:33:46 From Elisabeth Green : first find out how misogynist and racist and biased the people in the state or country are, before they commit hate crimes against you.
12:35:04 From Gloria Levin : Judy Rough, formerly Senior Planet/Colorado does a fantastic program called Ducks in a Row. VERY detailed. She'll do it via zoom again, starting in September.
12:35:36 From veda vazquez : you have a great point Elizabeth, not one usually discussed!!! thank you
12:35:36 From Wanda Jones : I am a solo ager I am interested
12:35:46 From Elisabeth Green : Retired Climate-Neutral Single Vegan Childfree Tree-Huggers and Birthstrikers experience vulnerabilities, inequities, and abuses that members of corporate society do not. Others have oil & gas pensions or children to care for them in their dotage. LGBT seniors are more likely than non-LGBT seniors to live alone. They are also less likely to have children, which can limit their access to sources of social support for assistance with the activities of daily living and with chronic or acute medical needs (Henning-Smith et al., 2015; Wallace et al., 2011).
12:35:53 From Jeannine Clark to Hosts and panelists : im interested as well
12:35:53 From Shanti to Hosts and panelists : Yes ! that is a good idea Steve
12:35:55 From martin M to Hosts and panelists : I would be interested
12:36:02 From veda vazquez : i am interested also!!!
12:36:04 From Roger Montgomery to Hosts and panelists : Interested
12:36:05 From Marjorie Fox : I am interested!
12:36:07 From Barbara Weidhorn : I am interested in solo aging support group too.
12:36:21 From Glenna Crooks : As a former federal government official, I don't see any way that Medicare will be portable to another country because it does not operate like Social Security, which just cuts a check. Even if policy forces were to make that possible, the logistics of payment methodologies and the differences between what we have and how other countries do it would make it a logistical impossibility.
12:36:26 From susan ventura : I'm interested as well
12:36:28 From Alice Fisher : I am a founding member of a LGBTQA+ virtual senior center. OUTstanding LIFEorg
12:36:28 From Courtney Nalty : I have just created a membership that is for caregivers of aging adults that will include education, workbooks and support groups, but would love to have a special side group that meets for solo agers. Courtney Nalty - Generational Support, LLC Courtney@generationalsupport.com
12:36:32 From Roger Montgomery to Hosts and panelists : Like to star one in Tampa
12:36:33 From Donna Savage : Count me in!
12:36:35 From Martha Wolf : Solo Aging Group would be great online group! I’d join!
12:37:01 From sara sheets : I have started a Solo Living support group in Beaverton Oregon. Have a regular attendance of about 20 people once a month. Has been in place for about two years.
12:37:03 From Fanta Doumbia : Amazing work Carol!!!
12:37:26 From JoAnn Lynn : I would be interested in an on-line group.
12:37:34 From Barbara Sullivan : SilverNest has several programs that are partnering with Villages
12:37:43 From gloria Gaddy : This is very informative and as Steve says each time these topics are discussed , fresh ideas are created. Maybe someone just realized they may be solo or will become solo. Great information - watch moving out of the country due to health benefits and health care. My husband had a fatal experience living abroad being solo !
12:38:28 From veda vazquez : i am so sorry Gloria
12:39:36 From Elisabeth Green : let's include solo agers in the patient support program for reimbursement under the plan posted at
https://david293.substack.com/p/deploying-156-million-for-patient?utm_source=/profile/4839649-david-jensen&utm_medium=reader2 from the $16.5 million provided by California taxpayers to cover regenerative medicine. Define the beneficiary population as “individuals who prevented or postponed the burdens of negative public health effects, environmental pollution, and impacts of climate change, and continue to do so, by remaining net-zero carbon emissions since 1965 when scientists first warned the president of the United States that overpopulation and fossil fuel use were causing climate change.
12:39:43 From sara sheets to Hosts and panelists : Steve, Would you send me your email address?
12:40:00 From Mary Sheldon : I am interested in the online solo group
12:40:09 From Barbara Sullivan : No, I jumped on late
12:41:40 From Barbara Sullivan : Good answer. I said the same!
12:41:52 From Mina Wuchenich : Can we move to address the financial aspectsof Solo Aging—finding the POA younger than you are?
12:42:22 From veda vazquez : For the longest time I felt like the only woman without children or husband. this is such an eye opening discussion
12:42:22 From Lisa Cook : I'd like to be involved in this solo aging group as well. Thanks.
12:43:03 From Victoria Robinson : I'm an example of a now-current "solo ager" but served as FT caregiver for my husband who had Alzheimers for 6yrs before his 2019 death. I felt&functioned as a solo ager even while he was alive.
12:43:57 From Elisabeth Green : Only the people conceived before November 5 in 1965 https://www.climatefiles.com/climate-change-evidence/presidents-report-atmospher-carbon-dioxide/ were excusably oblivious to the climate change that results from human actions. Those people were on notice to begin accounting for emissions in 1965.
Those 3.4 billion people alive in August of 1966 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_population were already increasing global warming with a carbon footprint of 12 billion tonnes CO2e/y https://www.c2es.org/content/international-emissions/ total, which is 3.53 tCO2e/y each. Thus, the Annual Carbon Quota for each of those seniors (over 55 years old) should be a value between 3 and 3.53 tCO2e/y but must be estimated/determined by unanimous consent of experts in all hard sciences without conflict of interest.
The Annual Carbon Quota must be exempt from taxation.
12:44:15 From Victoria Robinson : I'd also like discussion/leads about finding a (non-personal) POA.
12:45:18 From Elisabeth Green : Childfree seniors may pass their lifelong accumulated unused Quota to another individual (or to her healthcare providers) for no less than $10,000/tCO2e or assign it in a will. Her chosen patient support program shall administer the transfer on a transparent, decentralized, immutable, open source ledger that maintains private the medical records so that she may sell a license to use them, with informed consent.
The carbon tax on emissions above the Quota shall cover all costs of verifying direct (scope 1) carbon sequestration and emission since 1965
12:45:59 From Marilyn Gordon to Hosts and panelists : I missed the first half hour. I am in Carol’s Elder Orphans Facebook. group. There is a NYC subgroup…I joined it just before the pandemic…we have not been in contact since. I am in an apartment building ….in my apartment for almost 50 years. All ages. But most people seem to keep to themselves.
12:46:23 From AnnMarie Riehl : Any Baltimore Area folks want to do a Solo Aging Book Club? Let’s connect annmarie@ferrettoeldercare.com
12:46:49 From Glenna Crooks : Looking for the citation now.
12:47:10 From Carol Marak, Solo and Smart, Dallas : Solo Aging is the fastest growing segment of seniors today! My name is Carol Marak, Author, SOLO AND SMART https://www.amazon.com/Carol--L.-Marak/e/B09TBFT9QY
12:47:30 From Dorothy Stiles to Hosts and panelists : The condo complex I live in has a very mixed age group, and I feel safe that we have a secure front desk that will accept our packages, screen visitors before they're allowed in, all us a Lyft, etc. I also have friends here and we send a quick text to each other each morning to check in that we're all ok.
12:47:39 From Glenna Crooks : If I can't find the citation while we're on the call today, I'll share it when I present on Sept 29.
12:48:09 From Alison Lynch : I'll email you AnnMarie
12:48:19 From veda vazquez : awesome idea!!!
12:49:45 From Barbara Sullivan : Great question. We (VtVN) is hosting a conference in October and one of the sessions is a presentation from Final Exit Network on Solo Aging. You can find the conference details on our website www.vtvnetwork.org
12:50:05 From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : From Dorothy Stiles to All Panelists 12:47 PM
The condo complex I live in has a very mixed age group, and I feel safe that we have a secure front desk that will accept our packages, screen visitors before they're allowed in, all us a Lyft, etc. I also have friends here and we send a quick text to each other each morning to check in that we're all ok.
12:50:23 From Barbara Sullivan : Me too! Thanks Carol!
12:50:47 From Elisabeth Green : Would you like to start a community development financing entity for solo agers with environmental credit? Or a startup to increase autonomy for women? Or to extend the healthspan of lifetime climate-neutral stewards?
I am developing a startup to extend the healthspan of lifetime climate-neutral stewards. I am looking for backend and AI developers.
12:51:02 From Carol Marak, Solo and Smart, Dallas to Barbara Sullivan and all panelists : Yes connect, Barbara! Carol@carolMarak.com
12:51:21 From mary busse : Fairfax County offers a "file of lilfe" magnetic envelop to be attached to the refrigerator. It is a place to post health records, emergency contacts, etc. Emergency personnel look on the frig first.
12:51:32 From Carol Marak, Solo and Smart, Dallas to Barbara Sullivan and all panelists : Let's connect. sorry for the typo
12:52:12 From Tony Burke : in fact most local fire companies provide the file of life for no cost
12:52:29 From Dorothy Stiles to Hosts and panelists : In urban areas transportation ahd good health care is generally accessible. In Philadelphia if you're over 65 it's free!
12:52:43 From Barbara Sullivan to Hosts and panelists : Let's connect Carol! Barbara.sullivan@vtvnetwork.org
12:52:54 From Martha Wolf to Hosts and panelists : This was excellent Steve and Carol! Thank you, I will join again!
12:52:59 From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : steve@proaging.com
12:53:00 From Diane Watson : In some parts of NY, the File of Life is "the Vial of Life" where info is in a vial placed in refrigerator
12:53:44 From Gloria Levin : If you are still using a VIAL of life rather than a FILE of Life, change it. The latter is much easier for first responders to find, on the front of refrigerator rather than somewhere inside.
12:54:14 From Gloria Levin : I am with my fire dept.
12:54:52 From Lisa Cook : I "interviewed" neighbors before moving to a community in Minnesota - it really made a difference.
12:55:07 From susan ventura : Thanks Gloria for the info on the FILE
12:55:24 From sara sheets : what state is Fairfax County in?
12:55:35 From Tony Burke : it is in VA
12:55:40 From Elisabeth Green : Carbon offsets are avoidance of CO2 emission caused by self restraint. For example, a woman avoids 58.6 tCO2e/y by remaining childfree. She can put those offsets on the voluntary carbon market at the going rate or at the true cost price of $10,000 each.
12:55:55 From Victoria Robinson : Steve- Have you done (or could you assemble to do) a program on Alzheimer support for family caregivers? A terrific resource is (Fairfax, VA area's) INSIGHT MEMORY CARE CENTER.
12:56:08 From Mina Wuchenich : EG please keepads off this discussion
12:56:51 From Susan Botta : This was great...everything new to me. Thank you both.
12:57:03 From Barbara Sullivan : Thanks Carol and Steve, great program.
12:57:47 From Lisa Cook : This was wonderful - best of luck to all finding the right place for you!
12:57:49 From Wanda Jones : Thanks Carol and Steve all new to me, at 64 no kids
12:58:07 From veda vazquez : the remotes for everything are MINE!!!!
12:58:08 From Barbara Weidhorn : Thanks for this meeting. Hope you will re-visit this topic periodically.
12:58:24 From Nancy Ruffner : Thanks for a lively discussion, Steve, Carol, and everyone in the chat! I am a Solo - such freedom!
12:58:25 From Colleen Tressler : Really enjoyed this conversation, and look forward to future events.
12:58:34 From Wanda Jones : I’ve been able to have a great career traveling the USA
12:58:35 From veda vazquez : ice cream is my favorite dinner
12:58:37 From Kitty Devilbiss : this was a terrific program. thanks so very much!
12:58:55 From Wanda Jones : Now I want to go abroad
12:59:24 From Pamela Houghtaling : Managing my own financial affairs! Another great discussion! Thanks so much, Carol and Steve!
12:59:25 From Wanda Jones : I would love to have a companion
12:59:39 From veda vazquez : All about you!!!!
12:59:52 From Mina Wuchenich : yes please more discussion of financialissues
13:00:29 From Gail Crockett : I would want someone who lived in the apartment next door so could have my alone time and do what I want when I want
13:00:43 From Elisabeth Green : Can we connect with other net-zero childfree carbon creditors with purely positive planetary impact? Should we reward solo agers for carbon sequestration at the rate set by hard science with no conflict of interest? Should we each have a robot to lift the heavy weights? Should we have regenerative medicine to share more of the wisdom of the elders? Connect with me through the links posted at http://Green247.org/
13:00:45 From Judith Bitting : one grown married son ... out of state with whom I have a contentious relationship w... sooooo heartbreaking w many issues.... sooooo THAT is horribly solo
13:00:50 From Wanda Jones : Companion for travel, dinner, movie, etc., but want them to have their own place
13:00:52 From veda vazquez : i love this
13:00:53 From Lisa Cook : Personally I like making my own decisions. If a partner shows up, that's great - as long as I remain independent. :)
13:01:16 From Alice Fisher : I’m 3rd generation solo ager…it looks like one of my daugters will be 4th generation. We all have had great friends and enjoy our lives
13:02:11 From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Here is a link to the survey https://users.fastfocus.io/validate?ff_token=cfA0xjXqSfCRP05go-R6pQ
13:03:28 From Jeannine Clark to Hosts and panelists : Agree! a high concern for me as a solo ager
13:04:16 From veda vazquez : OMG!!! THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE BEST DISCUSSIONS EVER!!! THANK YOU
13:04:21 From Elisabeth Green : where is the privacy policy? who is collecting all of that personal information without paying true cost?
CURRENT ISSUE
All MD-DC-VA 2023CURRENT ISSUE
PA-NJ-DE