When we think about losing a loved one, our hearts just melt. We cannot think how it will be to navigate the next chapter alone. Where do we start, how do we stay social when our friends are all couples, and what is next? These are a few thoughts that stream through our mind. We have the need to grieve and process but how do you move forward? However, there is the other side of the coin. You can start to get involved and make the next part of your healthy aging enjoyable. You can make friends and get involved in activities that allow you to continue to have self purpose. 

5 Steps to Healthy Aging Solo

1. Get a Financial Team Together-You are the guardian of your money and when you have to do it alone, you need a team to help you make sure you are properly cared for as you age. You need an accountant, eldercare advisor or attorney and healthcare manager or advocate to help you with aging care and needs such as long term health care insurance. It is so important to have your aging dream team to make sure you have people in your corner to protect you, your finances, and your assets.
2. Create Social Circles-One thing you hear over and over is the importance of social circles and keeping involved to continue to have self purpose. You need a reason to get up and do something. You need friends and activities to keep you stimulated and happy physically, mentally, and spiritually. Studies show the importance of social engagement to maintain or achieve amazing health. We are humans and we crave social interaction and nurturing friendships to live a positive and healthful life. 
3. Maintain Your Health-This is something you will hear repeatedly about the importance of maintaining your health. You need to schedule with your healthcare providers regular screenings and stay on top of your physical, mental, and spiritual health. Partner up with your physician to make sure you are in regular contact about what you need to do to maintain or achieve optimal health. Make sure to monitor your diet and exercise and don’t forget to exercise the brain too. 
4. Embrace Technology-Technology can be your friend. There are many apps to help you keep your body moving and that includes your brain. Also there are many websites that can help you keep engaged in your community or to branch out to connect with others. Try something new! If your health wanes, you can also use Telehealth to help you if you cannot get out to be seen by a doctor. In the end learning technology is helpful for you to keep your independence and stay healthy and social too.
5. Have a List of Helpers-When you are alone, you need resources to help you with household items like a broken stove or issues with your furnace. You need a list of individuals you can trust to help you out. Also, you might want a list of places that deliver food or items that you may not be able to pick up, when you are sick or the weather is not safe to drive in. Make sure you keep this list of handy helpers updated for yourself and maybe a friend who might need help and you can help them with your resources too.

Living alone does not have to be dreadful and sad. You can live the next chapter of aging with joy and opportunities if you just make sure you have the “just in case” list ready. If you need help maneuvering through living alone and aging, contact Ann Jamison at Senior Living Options. Ann is experienced and willing to help you every step of the way in making the next chapter in aging doable with joy and options.

Author: Ann Jamison

Ann Jamison is an experienced senior advisor who has successfully worked with hundreds of families to help them find the best care and home-like environment for themselves or their loved ones. Prior to launching Senior Living Options, Ann was an eldercare advisor for a national placement agency and served as sales director at a senior living community. Thanks to her 25-year career in advertising sales and marketing, Ann is able to discern between hype and reality for her clients. Ann recognizes that there are objective factors that need to be weighed when making a life-changing decision, but she can also assess the important softer attributes by getting to know her clients and by using the gut instincts that can only come through extended experience.