[Updated: July 31, 2023 | Published: July 31, 2023]
As the baby boom generation reshapes aging and retirement, there has been a growing trend toward solo aging. Older adults living without a spouse, partner or adult children are sometimes called solo agers or elder orphans.
You have a lot of company if you’re single and over 55. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that over 22 million baby boomers and older generations live alone. Over 27 percent of them have no adult children.
Living alone might result from never marrying or having children, being divorced, or outliving a spouse, partner or children. Whatever the reason, you’ll find that unique joys and challenges come with solo aging.
One of the biggest challenges is finding someone to help with long-term care if needed. Traditionally, this responsibility falls on the senior’s adult children, who often serve as caregivers, assist with housing and provide emotional and financial support. Solo agers must navigate a system that often assumes adult children are available to help.
As you approach retirement, developing a plan to maintain your independence, make decisions that align with your wishes, and continue to enjoy a thriving lifestyle is essential. Senior living communities can help you meet your goals through innovative programs and services that cater to solo agers.
If you’re a single adult planning to retire in the Columbus, Ohio, area, you’ll want to consider the benefits of senior living communities as part of your retirement planning process. These include camaraderie and a sense of community, access to healthcare and long-term care, and a worry-free lifestyle with no household maintenance or chores.
Benefit #1: Get Social!
Living alone can be tough, especially when it makes you feel isolated from others. While many older adults experience loneliness and isolation, solo agers are particularly at risk. That’s why a senior living community can be a great place for solo agers to call home.
Social connections are vital to maintaining good physical and mental health. Research shows that people with more social ties tend to live longer and enjoy better physical and psychological well-being than those with fewer relationships.
During challenging periods, social support can be particularly beneficial. Most senior living communities offer activities and opportunities to meet new friends and remain engaged with the community.
At Friendship Village of Dublin, social wellness is woven into almost everything we do. It’s one of the nine dimensions of wellness that make up the Village Way, our holistic approach to helping residents live their best lives at every age.
Residents enjoy a variety of common areas and amenities, such as a community center, four restaurant-quality dining venues, a large indoor swimming pool, a library, a fitness center, and manicured outdoor spaces where they can socialize and participate in activities.
They also can choose from a full calendar of over 100 scheduled events and programs each month where they can have fun and nurture friendships. These include:
- Exercise classes
- Cultural outings
- Parties
- Sports leagues
- Clubs
- Arts & Crafts classes
- Concerts
- Lifelong learning programs
- Raised bed gardening
- And more
These and other opportunities help Residents engage with others and pursue their hobbies and interests.
Along with planned events, senior living communities offer informal social networks. For example, eating together in communal dining areas fosters a sense of belonging. These casual interactions are precious for seniors who live alone.
At Friendship Village of Dublin, Residents are actively engaged in the life of the community and supportive of one another, creating a strong sense of community.
Besides the socialization opportunities and shared amenities we offer, we also have a volunteer program and opportunities for residents to get involved in decision-making and planning for the community. These activities can help solo agers feel connected and purposeful and provide a sense of belonging.
“Friendship Village of Dublin offers numerous opportunities to develop friendships with a wonderful group of residents,” said Resident Millie H. “I enjoy the various activities and numerous exercise classes. I believe that staying active and engaged with other residents makes us all happier.”
A sense of community can make all the difference in living a vibrant and satisfying life. It’s no wonder that so many people find comfort in being a part of a caring and supportive environment.
Benefit #2: Access to Healthcare, Support Services and Higher Levels of Care
As we age, it’s natural to need more medical care and support services to maintain our health, independence and quality of life.
While some older adults may be able to access services independently, a senior living community can provide a less stressful and more comprehensive approach.
One of the major benefits of senior living is that most services are in one place, making it easy for Residents to receive the support they need. This can be especially important for solo agers, who may not have a support system of family members or friends to arrange appointments and transportation.
At Friendship Village of Dublin, for example, Residents can walk to medical appointments if they choose a primary care physician at our on-site senior medical practice operated by Central Ohio Primary Care. Medical specialists like podiatrists make regular visits to the campus. And we offer transportation to off-site medical appointments within a defined geographic area.
Nearly 75 percent of adults 65 and older will need long-term care during their lifetimes, which can be incredibly expensive. According to one provider of long-term care insurance, the national median monthly cost for a private nursing home room in 2021 was $9,034, while the cost for a one-bedroom unit in assisted living was $4,500. Hiring a home health aide would cost around $5,148 per month. Care costs are rising faster than inflation. Without significant financial means or income, you may struggle to pay for the care you need.
Most seniors have three main options for paying for long-term care: private payments, long-term care insurance, and public assistance like Medicaid.
LifeCare communities like Friendship Village of Dublin offer another option. A LifeCare contract protects you from the spiraling costs of long-term health care, with guaranteed access to on-site assisted living, skilled nursing, short-term rehab and memory care support at a predictable cost.
At Friendship Village of Dublin, Residents have priority access to state-of-the-art care at Waterford Place Assisted Living, Rowan House Memory Care and Alderwood Health & Rehab.
Benefit #3: A Worry-free Lifestyle
Managing household tasks and home maintenance can become a real chore as you age. For those without a partner, tasks like lawn care, home upkeep, repair arrangements, snow removal, meal preparation, and cleaning can become overwhelming. It takes a never-ending cycle of work to ensure a clean and comfortable living space.
At senior living communities like Friendship Village of Dublin, you can leave your lawnmower, snow shovel, and tool chest behind while our professional team handles all the maintenance. If you choose, you can hang up your pots and pans in favor of restaurant-quality dining venues. And regular housekeeping services allow you to spend less time scrubbing toilets, doing laundry and pushing a vacuum cleaner.
The result is a stress-free lifestyle that gives you the freedom to pursue what matters to you. You’ll have ample free time to travel, practice hobbies, and spend quality moments with friends and loved ones.
Solo aging offers the freedom to do exactly what you want. A worry-free lifestyle at a senior living community provides even more freedom. Plus, you’ll gain access to more social connections, a sense of community, healthcare and supportive services, and a break from endless chores. These benefits make senior living communities an excellent option for solo agers.
We welcome Solo Agers!
At Friendship Village of Dublin, we understand that solo agers face unique challenges. That’s why we offer a variety of personalized resources and services tailored to meet your individual needs. Cozy and affordable independent living apartments are the perfect choice for solo agers, nestled on our beautiful 29-acre estate along the serene Scioto River. And all of our apartments come with LifeCare, a comprehensive package of flexible services, abundant amenities and future healthcare at a predictable cost.
If you’re a solo ager who wants a secure plan for the future with all the benefits of a friendly, vibrant community, you owe it to yourself to explore Friendship Village of Dublin!
You can speak with a Residency Counselor by calling 614-426-0334 or use the form below to schedule a visit to our beautiful resort-style community along the Scioto River in Dublin. We look forward to hearing from you!
