The Solo Aging Resource Center provides research-based resources, definitions, conversation guides, and planning tools for people who are aging alone and the health and social service providers who serve them.
Solo aging is a state of aging into later life while living alone or without the natural, reliable support and services that family and friends often provide. Solo aging has many challenges but also several benefits.
Solo agers live alone but have diverse concerns and varying levels of risk associated with their solo-ness. Some solo agers feel empowered by their self-sufficiency and worry only about a possible future when their ability to live on their own is compromised by declining health. Others feel lonely and disconnected from family and friends and identify current risks to their wellbeing due to geographic location, poor health or mobility, advanced age, or the lack of a network for various social or functional needs.
The information on this site was gathered from an exploratory project on solo aging that included conversations
with 34 solo agers in Maine during 2025. You can view and download the final project report here.
Click on the links below to access the individual topic pages
What qualities do solo agers associate with solo-ness?
While many solo agers express negative associations with their "solo-ness", others identify positive and empowering aspects. Solo agers describe feeling lonely and isolated with no or limited options for getting help with both daily tasks or with tasks that occasionally require an extra hand, such as in a post-surgical situation.
What are solo ager concerns?
Solo agers express a range of concerns stemming from having to rely solely on themselves for comfort, finances, and care. Many fear needing additional help if their health were to decline, and describe this uncertainty as a major source of worry. Solos also worry about the future care of their pets, knowing that the animals rely solely on them.
What are the most positive aspects of solo aging?
Solo agers identified important benefits to aging alone, ranging from freedom from obligations to feeling empowered by self-reliance and clever strategies for doing tasks alone. Many solos - though not all - have embraced their solo-ness, leveraging its strengths, and working on getting their needs met.
What helps solo agers connect with others?
Like most other older adults, solo agers want to build and maintain social networks that feel supportive. Friends and neighbors were often mentioned as the primary source of social engagement and some solo agers do have family members near or far who visit and/or help out periodically. Cultivating friendships with other solo agers and with younger people was frequently mentioned as important.
What technology supports solo aging?
Most solo agers rely on some form of technology for socialization, staying safe, and managing daily life on their own. Access to the internet is key for solos, particularly those living in rural areas where transportation in a challenge.
How are solo agers planning for the future?
Solo agers are planning for their future needs, particularly their future health care or person care needs. Most have created advance directives and health care powers of attorney designating a surrogate decision maker, though some are still challenged to find someone they trust.
