With the holiday season in full swing, many of us will spend time with our parents, children, and friends. It is the perfect time of year to check on your aging parents and make sure they are in good health. But this time of year can also be devastating for elder orphans.
An elder orphan is a senior that has no spouse, no family members, or friends that will help them handle their health, financial, and legal issues that come with aging. There is nearly 25 percent of Americans aged 65 or older that are considered elder orphans. These are baby boomers that cannot and do not expect assistance from family or friends as they age.
As terrible as that sounds for an aging senior, social isolation can affect their health. Bringing awareness to senior loneliness is an emerging trend, but awareness is not enough. Therefore, the question is: how can a senior plan for old age if they do not have a support group?
Consequences of Loneliness in Old Age
There are tens of millions of older adults that are chronically lonely. These are adults that do not have families, friends, or support systems. Furthermore, they are socially isolated, living mainly in solitude. Loneliness is a serious issue because social isolation has devastating health effects, especially for seniors.
Studies have shown that isolated elder orphans are more likely to develop health issues. Social isolation is associated with a 29 percent increased risk of coronary artery disease, and a 32 percent increased risk of stroke. In addition, social isolation doubles the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in older adults. Socially isolated seniors are even more likely to die, compared to those without social deficits.
Humans are social creatures by nature. We naturally want to live in social groups and have a sense of community. Social isolation puts people on edge. If they don’t have a support system, people will subconsciously spend their time constantly surveilling their surroundings. When humans live in a group, they are happier and more relaxed.
Senior Care Planning for Elder Orphans
It is incredibly important to plan to age, especially for isolated seniors still in good health. You can hire people to help you with some of your aging planning. However, in the case of a medical emergency, you want someone you can trust to make any hard or critical decisions. Let’s explore ways elder orphans can plan for their future:
Cultivate a Social Network
If you have no spouse, family, or friends, take steps to build a support system. If you already retired but are still in good health, secure a part-time job or volunteer opportunities. If you have a social media account, consider actually using it to reach out and nurture relationships with estranged family members, friends, co-workers, or community members. You can hire people to make decisions for you, but you would feel much better if you had someone you know and can trust.
Get Your Documents in Order
Have you completed any estate planning or legal planning? Find an elder care attorney or hire a financial advisor to help you plan to age. Draw up a will, living trust, health care proxy, power of attorney and more. Make sure to gather the necessary important documents before going to your senior planning meeting.
Save Money
Senior care is expensive even for those that have the financial support of friends or family. There are many different benefits and resources for seniors, however, for most services, you will need to pay someone.
Find Someone You Can Trust
As I have already stated, you can hire people to help you handle your health, legal, and financial issues. However, you will want someone on your side in case of cognitive decline or a medical emergency. If you do not have a family member or friend that you can trust, you will want to make sure you have an attorney with your best interest in mind.
Think for the Long-Term
If you are an elder orphan that is in good health, you may not be thinking about a future time where you may be less mobile and more dependent. Consider your long-term senior care options. Consider how you will pay for care whether that includes Medicare/Medicaid, veteran’s benefits, long-term care insurance, and more.
Also, consider your senior caring options. Will you choose to move into different types of senior living communities as you age, or will you opt for something like a continuing care retirement community where you can age in place?
Stay Active, Stay Healthy
As we all know, staying active and eating nutritious meals are important for the good of your health. If you are mobile and able to do physical activity, make sure to exercise and remain active to prolong your independence and mobility.
