More and more of the clients I see lately are solo agers. A recent study found that 34 percent of older adults do not have a spouse, significant other or children who can provide their care. Although historically children and close relatives were the primary support for aging adults, there are many ways to fill that gap. Whether through informal networks of friends and “found” families, or through the guidance of professionals like our firm, it is important to plan.  

When you live alone, you need to plan for aging differently than someone who is married or has a life-partner. In most instances, those with a partner can rely on them to help out with expenses and be a caregiver, if they should become ill. However, when you are single, especially if you do not have close family, you need to plan in advance and you need to plan better. 

Most important of all: make sure that decisions about your health and well-being are made the way you want them to be made, if there comes a time you are not able to make them for yourself. That means picking a person you trust and giving them everything they need to act on your behalf. Your surrogate needs to know about your finances, your health information, your values and goals, so they can step into your shoes.  

New Jersey law provides several tools to allow individuals to plan for their future and legacy wishes. In addition to a Will, POA, and health proxy, revocable trusts and health care instruction directives can be very useful for directing your surrogate as to how and where you want to be cared for if you need long term care. Solo agers will be best served if they think beyond basic formulaic legal documents. Because New Jersey does not have required statutory forms, estate planning documents can build in protections against financial exploitation such as trust protectors or advisors, POA monitors or tie-breakers, or trusted contacts. A POLST (Practitioner Order on Life Sustaining Treatment) is another great tool in New Jersey to ensure your treatment wishes are followed. Because it is a medical order, it is more likely to be honored than a Living Will. New Jersey also allows individuals to name a Funeral Representative in their Wills which can be essential for those who want to designate someone other than their next of kin to handle their arrangements.  

Getting estate planning documents completed is important but it is not the only thing to consider. You need a care plan which addresses emergencies as well as a financial plan. You may want to consider long term care insurance.  Someone turning 65 has a nearly 70% chance of needing long-term care in their remaining years. Solo agers are more likely to need to rely on paid professional caregivers. It’s important to consider your options for care before you need it. You also should discuss these issues with your friends or family who you have nominated to make decisions for you, so they know your wishes.  No one likes to think about these issues, but studies show that individuals who have not created a care plan and designated a surrogate often end up receiving care they did not want and are more likely to end up in an institutional setting. 

There are a growing array of resources and options available to individuals who are ready to put together an aging life care plan and a team to support them along the way. Being proactive will give you the peace of mind to know you do not have to face aging and illness alone.