Has Barbie Crafted Her Solo Aging Plan?
“My whole philosophy of Barbie was that through the doll, the little girl could be anything she wanted to be. Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices.”
Published July 27, 2023
By Ailene Gerhardt, MA, BCPA, CSA®, Founder, Beacon Patient Solutions LLC & Navigating Solo Network
Due to an enormously effective marketing campaign, the new Barbie film has taken over the zeitgeist. While there has always been a lot of discussion about Barbie's impact, it is worth noting that Barbie, now approximately 83 years old, is a Solo Ager.
Barbie arrived in the toy world sixty-four years ago in 1959 as a nineteen-year-old. Over time Barbie has had a variety of careers, owned an array of property, navigated the world with and without a partner, and does not have children. She relies on herself and her carefully crafted support system to navigate the world as she ages. That is a story worth telling.
According to the US Census Bureau by 2034, there will be more people 65 years and older (77 million) than there will be under the age of 18 (76.5 million). One quarter of baby boomers did not have children and about one third of Americans aged 45 - 62 are currently single.
In the past, when an older adult needed assistance with concerns and needs related to aging, adult child(ren) or other younger family members were available to help. For those who did not have children or had children but those children are unavailable, unwilling, or unable to assist, ensuring support as they age requires an extra layer of intentional and thoughtful planning to make sure support is in place when needed.
I am passionate about the subject of solo aging both professionally and personally. During my community education presentations and in my work with individual clients, I focus on the seven planning needs for solo agers to consider: Healthcare Needs and Management; Age Diverse Support System; Advance Care Planning; Residential Decisions and Transactions; Investments and Financial Decisions; Legal Representation; and Living a Dynamic Life.
Solo agers (and really everyone) need to consider the support and resources they currently have in place and will need to have in place to effectively navigate the wide variety of needs as an aging adult.
If Barbie were my client and we were meeting to craft or enhance her Solo Aging Plan, here are questions I would ask her to think about:
Healthcare: Who helps you Navigate Healthcare: prepare for and attend appointments, talk through treatment options, and/or helps you review bills? What is your plan as your needs change?
Support System: Is Your Support Network age diverse? Who is a part of it? Are you a part of any groups and/or connected to community organizations? What opportunities are there to enhance what you have in place now?
Advance Care Plans: Are your Advance Care Plans in place? Have you considered the type of care you want and do not want? Are your plans written down? With whom have you discussed them? Who is serving as your agent/proxy? How did you choose who will advocate for you in the event you cannot advocate for yourself? Have you revisited your plan recently?
Housing: What is the best living situation for you? Do you want to stay in your current “dream home,” move once, or consider a move more than once? What type of home & community do you want to live in? What resources do you want available to you if you make in a change in where you live?
Financial Concerns: What is included in your plan for making financial decisions and money management? Who will assist you if you need assistance? Have you revisited your plan recently?
Legal Concerns and Estate Plan: Are your legal affairs in order? Do you have an Estate Plan? You have a considerable number of assets, have you given thought to beneficiaries? Do you know you can designate organizations as well as individuals as beneficiaries? Do you have a Financial power of attorney in place? Have you revisited your plan recently?
Living a Dynamic Life: It seems like over the years you have navigated change well. Do you feel you are well equipped to continue to cope with changes that come with aging? What are your goals? What do you find meaningful?
After exploring those questions together, I would remind Barbie that thinking about these aspects of planning can illicit all kinds of emotions and that is okay – there is no right and wrong. Planning in general is hard, timing consuming, and draining. It can feel overwhelming. It can trigger our “inner soundtrack” about what “we” have and what “we” don’t.
Planning is a dynamic process and one that never ends. Crafting a solo aging plan takes time, thought, hard work, and guidance. It is a lifelong process that requires putting foundational elements in place and revisiting them annually and when major life events (loss, move, retirement, medical crisis) occur.
Everyone needs a plan. Everyone should consider that they will be navigating aging on their own at some point. Giving intentional thought to one’s needs is critical to having the best possible outcome and for Barbie and other solo agers it is crucial. Putting plans in place provides peace of mind and a map to guide you along life’s paths.
Here’s to Barbie and all the other solo agers leading the way in spotlighting the crucial need for planning as we age! What a gift solo agers are providing for us all! Don't forget to THANK A SOLO AGER today!
Solo Aging Resources:
The Navigating Solo Network is an online national network and clearinghouse featuring resources specifically for Solo Agers! Our site features a resource library, calendar of events, exclusive resources for members, and more! Join our mailing list below!
Are you interested in working with a solo aging educator and advocate? Our founder Ailene Gerhardt is available to assist! Email her!