Elder Orphans

 

This week I am writing about a topic that most readers have never encountered. It is the phenomenon identified as “elder orphans.” These solo agers are a subset of the over sixty-five population. They have no relatives to help them as their needs increase. It is often a couple residing together or it can also be a single person. They live in communities [as opposed to long-term care settings], have no immediate family to help them, and typically independent minded. Some elder orphans are estranged or geographically distanced from relatives. Most have developed networks of surrogate family but those have been shown to diminish over time as friends die or take on increasing responsibilities caring for their bio families.

In researching this topic, I found a plethora of resources for elder orphans originating from for-profit caregiving agencies. This came as no surprise, as elder orphans are their target market. The 2016 research conducted by Carney et al. (2016) included numerous previous studies and background on this phenomenon. However, their paternalistic approach to the “problem” and the recommendations for medical community screenings and public health agencies to “protect and advocate for them” (p. 10) I found offensive. I agree with Carney et al. (2016) that elder orphans as a group are vulnerable and at risk… if and only if they are not proactive.

For example, elder orphans must be realistic about aging and acknowledge that physical decline is inevitable. At seventy, a person may be independent and healthy, but what is ahead at age eighty and ninety? While it is common for older adults to remain in optimum physical health, the risk for cognitive decline increases with age. Major life decisions including housing, social services, legal, and transportation options must be made in advance of declining health.

As an age coach and practicing gerontologist, I am astounded and shocked when older solo agers tell me they do not have a will. While I have had some luck trying to stress the urgency of wills, advanced directives, health care proxies, and assigning a designated surrogate, I concede that denial and fear of aging impedes the proactive approach.

Elder orphans, while at risk for social isolation and frailty, must be proactive in creating social connections and working at staying healthy. Appointing a legal guardian is essential to avoid becoming a ward of the state. As one elder orphan stated, “I am totally responsible for myself” (Garland, 2018).

The New York Times (Garland, 2018) and the Forge (2018) articles have numerous resources for solo agers. If you know an older orphan, pass these along. AgeDoc

References:

Carney, M.T., Fujiwara, J., Emmert, B.E., Liberman, T.A., & Paris, B. (2016). Elder orphans hiding in plain sight: A growing vulnerable population. Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research, (1), 1-11. Retrieved from https://www.hindawi.com/journals/cggr/2016/4723250/

 

Colbert, J. (18 December 2018). What it means to be an elder orphan. Forge. Retrieved from https://forge.medium.com/what-it-means-to-be-an-elder-orphan-cd4fc73a68bd

Garland, S. (23 March 2018). Single? No kids? Don’t fret: How to plan care in your later years. New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/23/business/elder-orphans-care.html