Solo agers face healthcare system designed for families, advocates say
8 reported
A growing number of older adults, known as "solo agers," are aging without adult children or a spouse, but the healthcare system still assumes family support is available, according to advocates interviewed by NPR. Ailene Gerhardt, a patient advocate who runs the network Navigating Solo, said she has heard from more people in this situation in recent years. She argues the system should be redesigned to arrange transport and escorts for medical procedures rather than requiring patients to find their own ride. Sara Zeff Geber, who has written and spoken about solo aging for over a decade, said she believes she was the first to use the term "solo aging," which she considers more positive than "elder orphans." Jason Resendez, CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving, said federal funding cuts are coming to home-based services and Medicaid, making it harder to age in place without a family caregiver. One solo ager, Carl Smigielski, 61, of Richmond, R.I., is helping start a local "Village" network that provides volunteer-based practical and social support to help people live independently.
What’s reported
A 2023 AARP report found one in ten adults over age 50 lives alone and does not have a partner or children.
Ailene Gerhardt started and runs Navigating Solo, a network offering support to solo agers.
Gerhardt said she has heard from people who canceled medical procedures because their ride backed out at the last minute.
Sara Zeff Geber has been writing and speaking about solo aging for more than 10 years.
Jason Resendez said federal funding cuts are coming to home-based services for older adults and to Medicaid.
The Village Movement started 25 years ago with one village in Boston and now has a network across the U.S.
Barbara Hughes-Sullivan, executive director of the Village to Village Network, said 30 to 60% of village members are solo agers.
Carl Smigielski, 61, was a family caregiver to his husband Moshe, who died in 2019 after living with Alzheimer's.
Key figures
Ailene Gerhardt, patient advocate and founder of Navigating Solo
Sara Zeff Geber, writer and speaker on solo aging
Jason Resendez, CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving
Carl Smigielski, solo ager and volunteer in the Village Movement
Barbara Hughes-Sullivan, executive director of the Village to Village Network
Jacqueline Smigielski, Carl's mother, age 87
Sources: NPR
