How Men Adapt to Being Solo Agers 3 steps men can take to stay connected, be prepared and fight loneliness

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Posted on 01/05/2025 1:21:10 AM PST by Cronos

I am euphemistically known as a "solo ager," a 66-year-old child-free widower with no plans to seek another primary intimate monogamous relationship. I must admit that the term "solo ager" is preferable to the horrible designation made by other social scientists who refer to me as an "elder orphan." That phrase reeks of an aging Oliver Twist, developmentally frozen in the pain of abandonment and fear.

3 Steps for Successful Solo Aging 1. While You Are Healthy, Make Plans. Complete advance directives and designate a trusted health care proxy. Spell out personal wishes regarding medical treatment. Grant someone the power of attorney to handle legal and financial matters should the need arise. Inform those close to you about your designate to ensure as little misunderstanding as possible in the event of a crisis or emergency.

Talk to an elder care financial planner

2. Go Toward Others. Social science tells us there is great benefit in being social as we age. The impact of social distancing during the pandemic will be studied for years to come. Already, there is sound determination that the loss of broad interpersonal communities has undermined our collective sense of security and anchoring to day-to-day living.

The psychologist John Cacioppo, in his 2009 book "Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection," reports that loneliness may have twice the impact on early death as obesity

3. Get Busy. Stay Physically Active.

(Excerpt) Read more at nextavenue.org ...

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Thought this might be interesting reading to some FRiends

1 posted on 01/05/2025 1:21:10 AM PST by Cronos

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