{"id":76863,"date":"2024-10-17T03:00:11","date_gmt":"2024-10-17T03:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/93658e4023a46a4d9638086958b02264"},"modified":"2024-10-17T03:00:11","modified_gmt":"2024-10-17T03:00:11","slug":"as-solo-aging-becomes-more-common-heres-how-to-thrive-on-your-own","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/as-solo-aging-becomes-more-common-heres-how-to-thrive-on-your-own\/","title":{"rendered":"As solo aging becomes more common, here&#8217;s how to thrive on your own"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"article-gating gated-overlay\" readability=\"24.690978886756\">\n<div class=\"article-gating-wrapper\" readability=\"28.376199616123\">\n<p>Join Fox News for access to this content<\/p>\n<p>Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account &#8211; free of charge.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-gating-legal tablet-desktop\" readability=\"21.43949044586\">By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News&#8217; <span class=\"waslinkname\">Terms of Use<\/span> and <span class=\"waslinkname\">Privacy Policy<\/span>, which includes our <span class=\"waslinkname\">Notice of Financial Incentive<\/span>. <\/div>\n<p><span>Please enter a valid email address.<\/span><\/p>\n<footer class=\"article-gating-footer\"><span class=\"waslinkname\">Having trouble? Click here.<\/span><\/footer>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"speakable\">As the population continues to get older, more adults are becoming&nbsp;<span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>solo agers<\/u><\/span> during their golden years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"speakable\">&#8220;Solo agers have been shown to be as healthy and happy as other older adults and live just as long,&#8221; Sara Zeff Geber, PhD., an aging expert and author of &#8220;Essential Retirement Planning for Solo Agers,&#8221; told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n<p>Some of them, however, face unique challenges that can significantly impact their <span class=\"waslinkname\">quality of life<\/span> and well-being.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\"><strong><u>TO REDUCE DEMENTIA RISK, SENIORS SHOULD TAKE UP THIS OUTDOOR ACTIVITY, STUDY SUGGESTS<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Below, experts offer advice on how to be a successful solo ager.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What is solo aging?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>&#8220;My definition of a solo ager is someone who does not have family nearby who are able and willing to intervene in a crisis and who will be available to provide support as the solo ager requires it,&#8221; Geber said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/343\/192\/senior-man-lonely.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/686\/384\/senior-man-lonely.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/672\/378\/senior-man-lonely.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1344\/756\/senior-man-lonely.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/931\/523\/senior-man-lonely.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1862\/1046\/senior-man-lonely.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/720\/405\/senior-man-lonely.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1440\/810\/senior-man-lonely.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/as-solo-aging-becomes-more-common-heres-how-to-thrive-on-your-own.png\" alt=\"Senior man lonely\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\" readability=\"6.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"8\">\n<p><span>More adults are becoming&nbsp;solo agers, but they may face unique challenges.<\/span> <span>(iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Some people become <span class=\"waslinkname\">solo agers<\/span> by choice \u2014 through opting not to have children, for example \u2014 or by circumstance, such as the death of a spouse or a child moving away, the expert added.<\/p>\n<p>About 28% of people 65 and older \u2014 or 22 million older adults \u2014 live alone, according to 2023 data from the U.S. Census Bureau.<\/p>\n<p>Among adults aged 50 or older, approximately 12% of them are considered &#8220;solo agers,&#8221; according to a 2021 AARP report.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"pull-quote\" readability=\"6\">\n<p class=\"quote-text\">&#8220;Solo agers have been shown to be as healthy and happy as other older adults and live just as long.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p> <!----><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;While the idea of aging without <span class=\"waslinkname\">family support<\/span> has always existed, especially in cases of widows or childless individuals, solo aging as a distinct concept with its own set of challenges and considerations has emerged more prominently in recent decades,&#8221; Bei Wu, PhD, vice dean for research at the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/343\/192\/elderly-man-in-hospital.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/686\/384\/elderly-man-in-hospital.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/672\/378\/elderly-man-in-hospital.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1344\/756\/elderly-man-in-hospital.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/931\/523\/elderly-man-in-hospital.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1862\/1046\/elderly-man-in-hospital.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/720\/405\/elderly-man-in-hospital.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1440\/810\/elderly-man-in-hospital.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/as-solo-aging-becomes-more-common-heres-how-to-thrive-on-your-own.jpg\" alt=\"Elderly man sick\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\" readability=\"7.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10\">\n<p><span>Solo agers are more likely to lack support from friends and family, which can make it difficult to access social, emotional and practical support.<\/span> <span>(iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>Different cultures<\/u><\/span> also view autonomy differently as adults get older.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In China, the \u2018three no\u2019 older adults \u2014 those with no children, no ability to work and no income \u2014 have faced significant challenges and garnered considerable attention in gerontological research,&#8221; said Wu, who has studied social isolation and aging.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\"><strong><u>HIT THE ROAD: NEW STUDY SUGGESTS TRAVEL COULD DELAY AGING, IMPROVE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Solo agers are more likely to lack support from friends and family, which can make it difficult to access social, emotional and practical support, the expert added.<\/p>\n<p>Not having a caregiver to provide assistance when the person is sick can also lead to delays in receiving necessary&nbsp;<span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>medical attention<\/u><\/span>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/343\/192\/senior-women-caregiver.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/686\/384\/senior-women-caregiver.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/672\/378\/senior-women-caregiver.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1344\/756\/senior-women-caregiver.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/931\/523\/senior-women-caregiver.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1862\/1046\/senior-women-caregiver.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/720\/405\/senior-women-caregiver.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1440\/810\/senior-women-caregiver.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/as-solo-aging-becomes-more-common-heres-how-to-thrive-on-your-own-1.jpg\" alt=\"A senior woman with a caregiver\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\" readability=\"6.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"8\">\n<p><span>Not having a caregiver to provide assistance when the person is sick can lead to delays in receiving necessary&nbsp;medical attention.<\/span> <span>(iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Only an estimated one-third of solo agers have someone to help manage their households or handle day-to-day expenses if they are unable to do so, according to the AARP report.<\/p>\n<p>Solo agers also face increased financial vulnerability as they grow older, as they have fewer resources to manage health care, housing and daily living expenses, Wu noted.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Importance of planning ahead<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>&#8220;For solo agers, the key resources I suggest focus on three main areas: community engagement, <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>financial and estate planning<\/u><\/span>, and health care advocacy,&#8221; Ailene Gerhardt, a solo aging educator and patient advocate in Massachusetts, told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/343\/192\/senior-woman-coffee.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/686\/384\/senior-woman-coffee.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/672\/378\/senior-woman-coffee.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1344\/756\/senior-woman-coffee.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/931\/523\/senior-woman-coffee.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1862\/1046\/senior-woman-coffee.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/720\/405\/senior-woman-coffee.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1440\/810\/senior-woman-coffee.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/as-solo-aging-becomes-more-common-heres-how-to-thrive-on-your-own-2.jpg\" alt=\"Senior woman\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\" readability=\"7.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10\">\n<p><span>Among adults aged 50 or older, approximately 12% of them are considered &#8220;solo agers,&#8221; according to a 2021 AARP report.<\/span> <span>(iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Gerhardt, who is also the founder of The Navigating Solo Network, a free resource library that aims to foster a sense of belonging for older adults, recommends developing two types of networks.<\/p>\n<p>One should consist of professionals who can advocate for legal and <span class=\"waslinkname\">medical needs<\/span>. The other might contain friends and acquaintances who provide additional support.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\"><strong><u>DEMENTIA WARNING: DON&#8217;T EVER SAY THESE 16 THINGS TO LOVED ONES WITH THE DISEASE, EXPERTS ADVISE<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Solo agers should prioritize getting their plans in order, for every day and the long term, including reviewing what kind of care and support they want \u2014 and do not want \u2014 if they are unable to advocate for themselves,&#8221; Gerhardt advised.<\/p>\n<p>That might mean filling out a will that specifies in detail how to distribute assets and having an advance directive, which details the person\u2019s wishes for life-sustaining treatment if they are too ill to make the decision, the expert said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/343\/192\/woman-with-cat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/686\/384\/woman-with-cat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/672\/378\/woman-with-cat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1344\/756\/woman-with-cat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/931\/523\/woman-with-cat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1862\/1046\/woman-with-cat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/720\/405\/woman-with-cat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1440\/810\/woman-with-cat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/as-solo-aging-becomes-more-common-heres-how-to-thrive-on-your-own-3.jpg\" alt=\"Woman with cat\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\" readability=\"8\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"11\">\n<p><span>&#8220;In China, the \u2018three no\u2019 older adults \u2014 those with no children, no ability to work and no income \u2014 have faced significant challenges,&#8221; an expert said.<\/span> <span>(iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Approximately half of solo agers have an advance directive \u2014 and only 44% have shared it with their primary care doctor, according to AARP.<\/p>\n<p>Part of creating an advance directive is designating a <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>durable power of attorney<\/u><\/span> (DPA), who can speak for the person in periods of illness or incapacitation.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\"><strong><u>AGING SPEEDS UP &#8216;MASSIVELY&#8217; AT TWO POINTS IN ONE&#8217;S LIFETIME, STANFORD STUDY FINDS: \u2018ABRUPT CHANGES\u2019<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Experts recommend choosing someone trustworthy who is a generation younger&nbsp;\u2014 mature enough to handle a serious end-of-life issue but young enough that they&#8217;re not yet experiencing the same aging issues.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Cultivating social connections<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Those who place a high value on friendships often have better health and happiness, past research shows.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\"><strong><u>CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP<\/u><\/strong><\/span><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Older adults who don\u2019t cultivate friendships may be less likely to receive help from friends, which exposes them to more&nbsp;<span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>negative emotions<\/u><\/span> triggered by changes in their lives, according to a previous study.<\/p>\n<p>An organic way to foster social connections is to move to a neighborhood with an existing support structure, experts recommend.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/343\/192\/iStock-621725166.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/686\/384\/iStock-621725166.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/672\/378\/iStock-621725166.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1344\/756\/iStock-621725166.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/931\/523\/iStock-621725166.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1862\/1046\/iStock-621725166.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/720\/405\/iStock-621725166.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1440\/810\/iStock-621725166.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/as-solo-aging-becomes-more-common-heres-how-to-thrive-on-your-own-4.jpg\" alt=\"senior woman using resistance bands with the help of a physical therapist\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\" readability=\"7\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9\">\n<p><span>An expert encourages solo agers to engage in local activities at senior centers, community organizations and churches as a means of staying active and socially connected.<\/span> <span>(iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>One example is Village to Village Network, a national organization that provides resources and support to help older adults age in their communities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Members become part of a local &#8220;village&#8221; that offers support services and opportunities to make social connections.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\"><strong><u>CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;These services range from social and educational programs to <span class=\"waslinkname\">health and wellness<\/span> activities, as well as practical support like transportation, home maintenance and technology coaching,&#8221; Barbara Sullivan, national director of the Village to Village Network in New Jersey, told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;By providing a variety of resources and services, they help foster a sense of belonging and independence.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/343\/192\/1-how-to-remotely-fix-family-computer-woes-from-afar.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/686\/384\/1-how-to-remotely-fix-family-computer-woes-from-afar.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/672\/378\/1-how-to-remotely-fix-family-computer-woes-from-afar.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1344\/756\/1-how-to-remotely-fix-family-computer-woes-from-afar.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/931\/523\/1-how-to-remotely-fix-family-computer-woes-from-afar.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1862\/1046\/1-how-to-remotely-fix-family-computer-woes-from-afar.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/720\/405\/1-how-to-remotely-fix-family-computer-woes-from-afar.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1440\/810\/1-how-to-remotely-fix-family-computer-woes-from-afar.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/as-solo-aging-becomes-more-common-heres-how-to-thrive-on-your-own-5.jpg\" alt=\"woman on laptop\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\" readability=\"6\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"7\">\n<p><span>Technology can help solo agers foster connections with others.<\/span> <span>(Kurt &#8220;CyberGuy&#8221; Knutsson)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Technology can also help enable these connections, according to Wu, the NYU gerontologist.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Video calls and <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>social media platforms<\/u><\/span> enable older adults to stay connected with family and friends, regardless of distance,&#8221; she told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\"><i><strong><u>For more Health articles, visit&nbsp;<\/u><\/strong><\/i><\/span><span class=\"waslinkname\"><i><strong><u>www.foxnews.com\/health<\/u><\/strong><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Wu encourages solo agers to engage in local activities at senior centers, community organizations and churches as a means of staying active and socially connected.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Join Fox News for access to this content Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account &#8211; free of charge. By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News&#8217; Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. Please enter a valid &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":76864,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-76863","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","has-thumb","has-featured"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76863"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=76863"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76863\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/76864"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=76863"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=76863"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=76863"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}