Future Planning

For solos, future planning is a practical and necessary thing to do, as they rely entirely on themselves to ensure everything is in order. Much of the planning relates to finances, maintaining funds and determining who will manage them if they are no longer able to. Other planning involves anticipating future care needs and designating to support the decision making process associated. And many solos call attention to the need for arranging care and having safeguards in place for their pets.

Finances

Solo agers describe the steps they have taken to prepare for their future, which includes navigating plans and finances independently. Some have informed relatives about their financial accounts and how to access them, whether that be adding family members to their accounts or house deeds to ensure their finances go to the appropriate individual. Others mention that reliance on a single income has forced them to plan carefully to ensure they do not run out of resources.

"My house is on two and a half acres. And it's hard to manage that by myself. So, when I think about solo aging, I just think I'm doing all these things now, I'm doing them okay, right now but as time goes by, I might not be able to maintain that level of okay."

Healthcare Decisions

Most future planning among solos focuses on care needs and the decision-making that comes with it. Many solos report having a power of attorney or advance directive in place, while some took additional steps to ensure their wishes were honored. This can include end-of-life planning, like writing one's own obituary or arranging cremation costs.

"I have a will. I have a power of attorney. I have an advance directive. I have a plot and a headstone. The two people I've identified as getting all of my estate have been notified. They have the packet - what's called a file of life and in it is exactly where you'll find all of these items, and I also have a file of life for my dogs, which include my instructions."

A Word about Pets

A majority of solo agers revealed the deep sense of responsibility they felt for their pets, as they are solely responsible for their care. Many noted that they fact pets into their future planning, with one even mentioning them in their will. Another solo shared of a time they worked with their provider to designate their pet as a service animal, ensuring the pet would be returned to them if they were to be hospitalized for an extended period of time.

Solos' dedication to their pets can often require careful and proactive planning, like arranging who would care for them if they were no longer able to or living. Overall, solos express profound concern for their pets' wellbeing and have thoughtfully planned how to ensure they will have care no matter what.

"That's the reason why I keep putting off updating my will, because I just can't imagine giving anybody that task of, you know, doing all the personal representative stuff."

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