My name is Carol Marak, Solo Living Advisor and Advocate, soon to be published author, SOLO and SMART, 2021. I helped my parents with senior care and their aging issues like many family caregivers do. Once my parents died, it occurred to me that I have no one to help me with the aging process. That's when I got on the stick and started planning for solo aging.
After spending thousands of hours helping my parents, researching needed resources, and writing hundreds of articles on aging-related topics for the senior care sector, I've learned what's needed to grow older confidently when solo aging. It was family caregiving that awakened me to the significance of planning for solo aging, especially since I was on my own and had no adult children or spouse to rely on.
Then I launched the Elder Orphan Facebook Group in 2016 because I wanted to know how many others are in a similar situation--a baby boomer with no family to help with long term issues, caregiving, estate planning, and power of attorney. It was astonishing to discover there are many of us who live alone and likely will into old age.
What I have learned over the past ten years after creating my plan for solo aging is to gain as much knowledge about self care, strong self reliance, and creating a family-like community. Because if you're a baby boomer and growing older, you will need nearby support and most importantly, to be in good health, enough money to outlast you, and someone who cares.
In my own planning for solo aging, I've set up a social network that's connected, and have a fulfilling lifestyle that encourages purpose, expansion, and growth. Today, I teach solo adults to do the same for themselves by applying the achievable steps that I put into play for the future. It's imperative for older adults to build a strong future self, one that plans for good health care, affordable housing, companions, personal care and support.
The aging sector has room to learn and understand about solo adults; our concerns, our obstacles, and and how to market to us! Ask me how! Solo agers can have a safe, independent, and confident older life even without family.