Why Solo Agers Are Looking to Communities Like Brandon Wilde
As more older adults find themselves navigating aging without family nearby to support them, a growing movement is helping them plan for the future with confidence, purpose, and connection.
On August 13, author, speaker, and solo aging advocate Carol Marak will visit Brandon Wilde to present “Solo and Smart: Planning for Successful Solo Aging,” a discussion designed to help older adults think proactively about the realities of aging alone and the steps they can take to build a strong support system. The event is free and open to the public, though RSVPs are requested.
Marak understands the challenges of aging on one’s own firsthand. After helping care for both of her parents through serious health issues, she began asking herself, “Who’s going to do all that for me?”
That question led her to spend years researching solo aging, creating support groups, writing her book “Solo and Smart,” and helping older adults develop practical plans for the future.
“People just assume everyone has family standing by to help them,” Marak says. “But many older adults are aging without traditional support systems. We’re everywhere, but we’re often hidden in plain sight.”
The need for these conversations is growing. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly three in ten adults age 65 and older lived alone in 2022. Among women, the numbers are even higher, with 27% of women ages 65 to 74 and 43% of women age 75 and older living alone.
At the same time, research from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine identifies social isolation and loneliness as serious public health concerns. The report notes that approximately one-quarter of adults age 65 and older living in the greater community are socially isolated, with risks increasing among those who live alone, have experienced the loss of loved ones, or face health challenges. The health impacts can be significant, with social isolation linked to increased mortality risk comparable to other major health concerns, including high blood pressure, smoking, or obesity.
For Marak, those statistics highlight the importance of planning ahead.
When she speaks to groups, she often begins with three questions:
- Who would speak with doctors on your behalf if you were suddenly hospitalized?
- Who could access your finances and pay bills if you were unable to?
- Who would physically show up to advocate for you and ensure your care plan was followed?
“The people who age most successfully have support systems,” Marak says. “We need people who know us, who notice if something changes, and who can advocate for us when needed.”
That’s one reason Marak believes senior living communities can play such an important role for solo agers.
Why Senior Living Communities Make Sense for Solo Agers
While many people plan to remain in their homes indefinitely, Marak encourages older adults to think beyond the physical house and focus on the support network surrounding them.
“If you’re living alone, who notices if they don’t see you for a week?” she asks. “Who checks in? Who sees changes in your health, mobility, or cognition?”
At Brandon Wilde, residents are part of a vibrant, connected community where relationships develop naturally through daily life. Neighbors become friends. Team members get to know residents personally. A schedule chock full of classes, activities, trips, performances, clubs, games, volunteering opportunities, and special events creates countless ways to build meaningful connections.
As the CSRA’s premier Life Plan Community, Brandon Wilde offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation services on one beautiful campus. Residents enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing additional support is available if needed, while continuing to maintain active, independent lifestyles.
For solo agers, that combination of community, support, and future planning can be especially valuable.
“People need eyes on them,” Marak says. “They need people who care, who know them, and who can help if circumstances change. They also need a sense of purpose and connection. ”
Building Connection Before You Need It
One of the most important lessons Marak shares is that planning for aging isn’t just about finances or legal documents. It’s also about relationships.
Through her workshops and coaching programs, she encourages older adults to actively build friendships, expand their social circles, and create networks of support long before a crisis occurs.
“People often become more isolated as they get older,” Marak says. “But that’s not a healthy or happy way to age. We need community.”
That message aligns closely with the philosophy at Brandon Wilde, where residents enjoy not only a continuum of care but also a strong sense of belonging, purpose, and connection.
As the number of solo agers continues to grow nationwide, conversations like Marak’s are becoming increasingly important. By helping older adults think proactively about their future, she hopes to empower them to make choices that support independence, health, and quality of life for years to come.
To RSVP for Carol Marak’s presentation “Solo and Smart: Planning for Successful Solo Aging” on Thursday, August 13, at 11 a.m., at Brandon Wilde, visit https://www.brandonwilde.com/events/.
To discover if Brandon Wilde is right for you or someone you love, schedule a tour at https://www.brandonwilde.com or call 706-868-9800.