There are those 55 and older, alone, without mates or adult children. Carol Marak, an elder advocate has dubbed them "elder orphans." She has created the Elder Orphan Facebook group (Facebook.com/groups/elderorphan) as a meeting place and support group for these seniors. Just one year old, the site already has more than 4000 members! Marak also edits seniorcare.com which offers a wealth of very helpful information about resources for older people in every state. In the informative Senior Living section of on March 14, 2017 were all this is described, we learn that one resource, the movement for shared housing among older women, is growing across the country. This offers new options to elder orphans and others, where expenses can be shared, relationships can expand, and a new life chapter can begin.
On our 70Candles.com blog, we hear from many women who feel alone. They wonder where they will live next; they tell of problems with finding transportation that will allow them to venture out. Some are lonely and feel disconnected from the communities that surround them, and some feel depressed. They seek friends, companionship, and alternative living arrangements. We’re pleased to see that more options continue to become available.
Here are some of the web sites that offer matching services for those seeking roommates and those offering to share room in their homes: Roommates4boomers.com Goldengirlsnetwork.com Sharedhousingcenter.weebly.com/homeshare (Dallas) Affordable Living for the Aging alaseniorliving.org (Los Angeles)
Then there are examples of Villages throughout the country. These are member driven grassroots organizations that help elders age in their own homes. Villages (vtvnetwork.org) are communities where shared help is available. Village members are connected to resources, education and expertise. One thriving example is Boiseathome.org
See eldercare.gov for many more helpful links.
If you know of other programs that provide support for aging in place, in your area, please share that information here. This is an idea whose time has come!
70Candles! Women Thriving in Their 8th Decade, by Jane Giddan and Ellen Cole is available at taosinstitute.net/70Candles. 70Candles! Gatherings A Leader's Guide can be found on Amazon.com.