Older Adults Without Close Family Connections Face Unique Challenges

Why it matters locally: While not unique to North Carolina, the increasing demographic of solo agers presents challenges for the state's aging services infrastructure, including Wake County Human Services and Mecklenburg County's Department of Social Services, as they plan for future care needs.

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A demographic of older adults is navigating the aging process without the immediate support of children or a spouse. Experts identify this group as "solo agers." These individuals face the prospect of later life without a primary family caregiver. Carl Smigielski, 61, exemplifies this experience. He is single following the death of his husband, Moshe, in 2019. Smigielski anticipates aging without a family member to rely on for support. One expert describes this situation as a societal reality that requires support, rather than a problem demanding a solution. The increasing number of solo agers indicates a need for adaptations in how communities and services address the needs of an aging population. Changes designed to assist solo agers could ultimately benefit a wider segment of society.