Considerations for Solo-Aging: Proactive Support, Informed Decisions & Peace of Mind

By 2030, all remaining members of the baby boomer generation will be age 65 or older, with the estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau placing their population at approximately 73 million in the United States. By this time, they will represent nearly 20% of the total U.S. population. As their care needs increase, many aging adults will begin to receive support and care coordination from their adult children, able-bodied spouses or other family members. There is one segment of the aging population that can often be overlooked- those without these support systems

Often called solo-agers or elder-orphans, these aging individuals often don’t have children or family members to provide the support necessary to ensure a high quality of life. So, in these instances, who steps in? How does a trustee or fiduciary of a solo-aging client ensure care and funding without chaos? This is where elder-focused quality of life planning comes in. 

Best practices in elder-focused quality of life planning:

1. Define the vision for care and quality of life. How do we preserve identity, autonomy, purpose, comfort and connection?
2. Analyze the costs related to that vision – Planning ahead reduces stress.
   Identify the payer sources that are to provide the funds for these costs.
3. Customize daily life to the elder individual’s identity.
4. Document the plan and cost projections.
5. Make the elder individual the leader and formalize the plan through legal documentation. Even if or when capacity changes, the elder individual’s voice should guide decisions.
6. Discuss the plan and obtain financial planning services to ensure that funding is sustainable with the plan.
7. Revisit the plan regularly – Schedule annual or biannual check-ins, reconfirm decision-makers and preferences, ensure assessments are current.

Once the plan is established, ensuring accurate and consistent implementation is the next step. National Care Advisors can provide Concierge Care services that are customized to the individual, their needs, wants and future goals. 

Concierge Care services for solo-agers can involve:

• Caregiver Solutions: Locating, vetting and hiring appropriate in-home and daily support providers.
• Provider and Medication Services: Locating providers, coordinating referrals and prescription refills to prevent missed medications or medication errors and scheduling regular reconciliation with pharmacists and providers. 
• Home Safety: Home safety assessment and implementation as well as coordination with appropriate community partners to implement emergency plan. 
• Maximizing Benefits: Compassionate care planning, identifying community resources and utilizing long-term care insurance and any applicable third-party benefits to reduce overall out-of-pocket costs.

Comprehensive assessments prevent gaps in care. There is no one-size-fits-all solution in planning. People evolve, and plans must evolve with them. This kind of hands-on advocacy is especially vital for those aging without the support of trusted family members. National Care Advisors’ comprehensive Quality of life Planning and Concierge Care services can give solo-agers the gift of peace of mind and facilitate a sustainable, independent and fulfilling life.

Contact National Care Advisors to learn more about our Quality of Life Plan and Concierge Care services!