Solo Aging: How to Get the Best Healthcare

Are You Solo Aging? You're Not Alone.

If you’re someone growing older without a spouse, children, or close family nearby, you’re part of a trend known as solo aging.

You might have quietly wondered:

What will happen if I get sick?
Who will speak for me if I can’t?
Who can help you decide when it's time to move to assisted-living or skilled nursing care?
Who can help you organize and review overwhelming medical bills?

If these questions resonate, you're not alone. Over 22 million U.S. adults 55+ are solo aging, according to the 2021 Census.

You may be widowed, divorced, never married, childless, or simply living far from loved ones.

While solo aging offers freedom, it also brings unique challenges, especially when dealing with healthcare. This post is your personal guide to getting that support on your own terms.

Essential First Steps for Solo Agers

1. Build Your Support Team

Ask friends, neighbors, clergy, or professionals to be part of your support circle.
Consider hiring a board-certified patient advocate (BCPA) for formal guidance from someone with deep healthcare expertise.

2. Organize Legal & Medical Documents

Healthcare Proxy & POA
Living Will & POLST/DNR
HIPAA release forms

4. Name a Healthcare Proxy & Durable Power of Attorney

Select someone you trust or you can hire a professional for this role. You need someone who can legally work on your behalf should you not be able to speak for your self. Only 43% of those solo aging have named a healthcare proxy, and fewer than 1 in 5 have designated a future caregiver.

3. Plan for Aging in Place

Consider moving to a home where you can age in place with single floor living and wide doors to accommodate wheelchairs. Make sure to modify your home with grab bars and non-slip flooring.
Consider independent or assisted living communities where you can have friends and qualified staff nearby to assist you or even just notice when you aren't feeling well. Many communities have continuing care and you can start in a totally independent apartment and graduate to higher levels of care as you need them.

4. Stay Socially Connected

Stay in contact with friends and family. Plan regular outings even if it's just lunch or a coffee chat. Studies show that social connection has a huge impact on quality of life and longevity.
Make new friends by taking community courses (cooking lessons, language lessons, literature seminars), joining groups or volunteering. You can find solo aging groups on websites like Meetup.org. Clubs like the Elks or the Lions provide activities and have large populations of seniors in them.
Senior centers are a great place to make new friends and meet others who are solo aging.

5. Set Up a Check‑In System

If you are living alone, find a friend or family member that can check in with you daily over the phone. You don't want to be laying on the floor for 24 hours without assistance.
There are also automated services that you can pay to check in with you daily.
Consider wearing a device, like Lifeline, that you can press to call 911 if you fall or have an accident.

6. Take Care of Your Emotional Health

Solo aging causes higher stress and anxiety levels. Therapy, peer groups, or telehealth options can help.

Solo Doesn’t Mean Unsupported

Yes, you're aging on your own, but you do not have to go it alone. With intentional planning, legal readiness, and a trusted network (including professionals), you can face the future with confidence and independence.

At Umbra Health Advocacy, our patient advocates can guide solo agers every step of the way—from planning ahead to navigating medical emergencies—with empathy, expertise, and respect.

How Patient Advocates Can Help a Solo Ager

For solo agers, navigating the healthcare system alone can be overwhelming. A professional patient advocate serves as a trusted partner who helps you make informed decisions, protects your rights, and ensures that your care aligns with your values.

Here are some of the key ways a patient advocate can help:

Coordinate Complex Medical Care

If you are managing multiple providers, medications, or chronic conditions, a patient advocate can help organize your care. They coordinate communication between healthcare professionals, attend appointments with you if needed, and help ensure nothing gets overlooked.

Review Medical Bills and Insurance

Healthcare billing is often confusing and error-prone. A patient advocate can review your medical bills, spot mistakes, help file insurance appeals, and make sure you are not paying more than you should.

Support Decision-Making in a Crisis

If you are hospitalized or facing a serious diagnosis, a patient advocate can step in and help make sure your treatment reflects your preferences. They work closely with your care team to ask questions, request second opinions, and ensure clarity around all options.

Assist With Advance Care Planning

A patient advocate can identify the things you need to do for advance care planning and help find legal resources to prepare essential legal and medical documents such as a healthcare proxy, power of attorney, HIPAA release, and advance directive. This ensures your wishes are clearly documented and accessible in case of emergency.

Advocate When You Cannot Speak for Yourself

In situations where you are unable to speak for yourself, an advocate can communicate on your behalf with doctors and hospitals. They ensure that your values and choices are respected. This is especially important for solo agers who may not have a family member available to step in.

Provide Consistent and Compassionate Support

Solo agers often do not have someone to accompany them to appointments or follow up on care. A patient advocate fills that gap by offering consistent guidance, emotional support, and the confidence that someone knowledgeable is looking out for you.

Ready to Build Your Solo Aging Support?

📞 Call us at 857-766-8236
📩 Fill out a Help Request form with your needs and we will get in touch with help options.