Navigating end of life as your health declines can be daunting, especially if you’re a solo ager without immediate family to rely on. Let’s delve into three crucial legal documents that everyone needs––especially solo agers: the Living Will, Healthcare Proxy, and Financial Power of Attorney.

I had never had to deal with an incapacitating medical issue before, until this year. As a single person, this situation is complex. Here’s my story and some tips for getting support to literally get back on your feet after surgery.

I was married for 19 years. When the divorce was final, I knew I wanted a new life partner. I had not been on a date in 25 years! Aside from the requisite grit, resilience, and self-confidence, here are my eight learnings from online dating.

Big Retired Life engaged in five candid conversations with individuals who collectively shared an average of 22 years of marriage. Delving into the intricacies of later-in-life divorces, our aim was to uncover the unexpected surprises from these diverse experiences and distill valuable advice.

It can be hard to be alone during the holidays. Although conventions say the holidays are a time to focus on others, for some, it might be the time of year to take special care of yourself. You can embody the spirit of the holiday season with gratitude, connection, happiness, and generosity, by spending time focusing on what you have and what matters to you. Carol Marak, a solo-aging coach and expert, recommends connecting to and revitalizing yourself during the holiday season. Thrive through the holidays with these eight tips:

As social creatures, humans have an innate need for social connection. It’s as essential for survival as food, water, and shelter. Yet, in an increasingly digitally connected world, loneliness is on the rise. The U.S. Surgeon General officially declared it an epidemic due to its detrimental effects on both individuals and society as a whole.Continue reading “Combatting the Loneliness Epidemic”

That’s a wrap! Our four-piece series on ways to travel alone is complete. While retirement is often seen as a time to travel, many people put off those dreams simply because they don’t want to travel by themselves. We’ve broken down four ways to embrace solo travel and explore the world. Discover what option worksContinue reading “Four Ways to Travel Alone”

For thousands of years, individuals have embarked on walking pilgrimages around the world. While traditionally a religious experience, pilgrimages offer a unique travel opportunity to clear your mind, move your body, and feed your soul. According to Adventure and Spiritual Restoration: Older Adult Motivations for Undertaking a Pilgrimage on El Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimageContinue reading “Take a Modern Pilgrimage”

Third in a Series If you are one of the 12 million Americans classified as a solo ager who wants to travel more, we have an enticing and novel idea for you: a reconnection tour. Just because you are aging independently doesn’t mean you lack friends or extended family scattered across the country or evenContinue reading “Try a Reconnection Tour”

Second in a Series We all know it can be scary to think of traveling alone even when you want to step outside of your comfort zone and gain new experiences.  If you read our recent post, Solo Travel, and thought, “No way––that’s not for me!”, then we have a few other ideas for you.Continue reading “Group Travel: Ideal for Solo Agers”

By Sharon Lee Mathis Retirement is often seen as a time to travel and explore the world. However, many people put off those dreams simply because they don’t want to travel alone. The thought of solo travel can be intimidating, but I can tell you from experience, it’s incredibly rewarding. In fact, according to SoloContinue reading “Solo Travel”

Losing a spouse or life partner can be one of the hardest experiences a person can go through. For everyone in a long-term relationship, the reality is that one partner will pass away at some point, and the other will need to continue on alone. It’s important for both partners to acknowledge and prepare. It’sContinue reading “Advice For Widows From Widows”

If you have a dog, there’s a chance you rescued them from a shelter. As your dog benefits from your care, did you know they’re also helping you? There are myriad health advantages of dog ownership. The most compelling being a 2019 Journal of Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes meta-analysis that showed dog ownership wasContinue reading “Who rescued who?”

It can be hard to be alone during the holidays. Although conventions say the holidays are a time to focus on others, for some, it might be the time of year to take special care of yourself. You can embody the spirit of the holiday season with gratitude, connection, happiness, and generosity, by spending timeContinue reading “Going It Alone Through the Holidays”

By Carol Marak Caring for my parents was a wake-up call. It required a massive effort involving three siblings and professionals. The same care could someday be needed for me–only I would not have a family to step up. I’m a solo ager, also known as an Elder Orphan. Whether by choice or circumstance, soloContinue reading “Solo Agers: Safeguard Your Future”

Grief is the deep pain associated with the loss of something or someone important. We all know who the “someones” are in our lives. But the somethings — well, those can include youth, marriage, material possessions, future dreams. All of which can make grief an extremely personal and lonely process.  Understanding how to manage griefContinue reading “Managing Grief”