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SPOTLIGHT ON SOLOS

Join this exclusive APHA video webinar to discuss the concept of solos, explore their experiences and issues, and discover opportunities for support and solutions. Challenge ageist language and stereotypes associated with solos while focusing on their functional independence. Learn about the risk factors for solo-ness and the growing population of solos among Gen X, Boomers, and the Silent/Greatest Generation. Understand the need for non-family support and the implications for care provision. Explore new frameworks and strategies to better serve solos in diverse situations. Take the first step in shifting our paradigm and making a difference.

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SPOTLIGHT ON SOLOS

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  1. SPOTLIGHT ON SOLOS An exclusive apha VIDEO webinar

  2. Today’s objectives • Share information about solos and related issues • Start shifting our paradigm (think different!) • Begin a conversation about experiences, opportunities, problems, and solutions

  3. “Unbundle” & “unlearn” What does “solo” mean to you? Isolated? Lonely? Unmarried? Childless? Start by unlinking ageist language and stereotypes

  4. In Other Words… • A solo may be any age, not necessarily “senior” • A solo may not have an immediate need for care or advocacy

  5. Solos: A New Framework • Solos: “Individuals who, by choice or circumstance, function without the support system traditionally provided by family.” • Solo-ness: “Availability and quality of support when needs arise.” • Functionally Solo (may be temporary, intermittent) • Continuum of Solo-ness (people are like Swiss Cheese)

  6. Risk Factors For Solo-nesscommon examples • No children or step children/disabled children • Living alone • Children/family members live at a distance • Children/family unavailable, unable, and/or unwilling • Dysfunctional family relationships • Close friends/partner same age or older • Extreme independence/lack of social skills/reclusiveness • Lacking mental capacity (long-term, short-term, intermittent) • Poverty and/or homelessness

  7. Wilder research on solos Gen X, Boomers, and Silent/greatest gen US Population* • 52% in above cohorts • 16% of cohorts live alone • 28% are non-white * US Census, 2016 Population Estimates

  8. Not Just a Blip on the Radar Screen Boomers & Silent/Greatest Generation • 16% living alone • Another 17% living in 2-person households (partner or spouse may die or be unable to provide care) Estimated 34%+ of older adults likely at risk for solo-ness

  9. Who is Providing Care Now? Relatives = 85% Non-Relatives = 15% • Friends (10%) • Neighbors (3%) • Other (2%) When non-relatives are involved, who is making the decisions?

  10. ImplicationDemand for Non-Family support will Increase Example: Minnesota Solos

  11. Solos Need Various Kinds Of Support Examples: Decisional Roles APHA members are skilled at all of these!

  12. Custom and Practice • Used to dealing with clients who lack capacity (frail elderly) • Practices/services based on assumptions about involvement of family • Many Solos will arrange their own services • Solos may need different services than “traditional” advocate clients (e.g. emergency contact) • Existing standards may not align well with “proactive” strategies

  13. Having read the research reports, what did you find resonated with you the most?

  14. Has anything in the reports or this meeting caused you to think differently about solos?

  15. Are you already working with younger (non-elder) solos? “Individuals who, by choice or circumstance, function without the support system traditionally provided by family.”

  16. Do you see an opportunity to work with a more diverse range of solos?

  17. What are your next steps? How could we (Linda, Joe, APHA) support you?

  18. Additional Information Citizens League/MN Elder Justice Center Solos Task ForceCopy of Phase 1 Report https://elderjusticemn.org/health-care-decision-making-for-people-aging-alone/ Linda J. CampFollow-up questions, information sharing Email: thebackupplan2@gmail.com

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