Imagine yourself at age 70, retired or about to retire. Likely, your parents are deceased. Your siblings may be, too.
You might be in a happy marriage. Or not. And, if not, where are your people? Your BFF may still be around. But maybe not. There are always friends, people say.
But the fact is, those who live the longest find themselves without living family or children, largely without close ties. You know you have arrived in that moment when you can't think of anyone to put down on a form as emergency contact.
These people are often called 'elder orphans.' They have special challenges, according to Caring Places.
Any challenges of mobility (or mental capacity) make it difficult or impossible, to stay in their home alone. Even temporary conditions are a problem. If an elder orphan needs a hip replacement, there is nowhere to recover except at a nursing home.
Meanwhile, they increasingly need help with financial and legal matters. With no children or relatives in sight, they may find themselves targeted by estate or conservatorship fraud with no family to defend or advise.
Some solutions:
* Make a living will so that your end-of-life choices are set. Choose a health care proxy — even an attorney or friend might do.
* Keep in touch with people you know. You may have a network of friends from clubs, church, or work with whom you can keep in touch.
* Consider senior communities. Larger senior communities may offer both health and home services, as well as entertainment and community. Even if you don't have a lot of money, government-sponsored senior housing communities may offer affordable social contact and security.
