Who is a Solo Ager?
An older adult 55+ who is without the
reliable support of adult children or close family members.

Dear Subscriber First Name,

Welcome to the September edition of Navigating Solo™ News, the Navigating Solo™ Network’s monthly newsletter. Visibility has significantly increased regarding the unique needs of navigating aging solo since the Navigating Solo site was launched in October 2021.

I am thrilled that our national website and network has grown significantly! I am so excited that our new The Navigating Solo™ Podcast will help us include the voices of many solo aging advocates, share individual stories of those navigating solo, connect solos to each other, and offer ideas and solutions for the many aspects of a compiling and implementing a navigating solo plan!

Take a look around the Navigating Solo Network site and you will see how the path to dynamic solo aging starts here!™

Ailene Gerhardt, MA, BCPA, CSA
Independent Board Certified Patient Advocate, Certified Senior Advisor®
Solo Aging Educator and Advocate
Host, The Navigating Solo™ Podcast
Founder, Navigating Solo Network™
Founder, Beacon Patient Solutions LLC

• National Good Neighbor Day, September 28

• Solo Aging In The News

• Upcoming Events: Navigating Solo 201, Ageism Awareness Day, Navigating Solo™ Online Fall Gathering

• The Navigating Solo™ Podcast Now Available!

National Good Neighbor Day, September 28

For solo agers, connection and community aren’t just important — they are essential! Whether it’s checking in on a neighbor, sharing a meal, or simply saying hello, these small acts build the meaningful relationships we all need.Let’s strengthen our bonds, share stories, and create connections that enrich lives.

Are you seeking resources designed specifically for solo agers? The Navigating Solo Network™ offers solo agers ways to make new connections, share experiences, and enhance support networks. Let’s make every day feel like Good Neighbor Day!

Learn more on the National Good Neighbor Day website! Visit the Massachusetts Coalition to Build Community and End Loneliness to learn more about Good Neighbor Day in Massachusetts!

SOLO AGING IN THE NEWS

Articles:

• Solo Aging Thought Leaders Sara Zeff Geber, Joy Loverde, Rob Lyman, and Ailene Gerhardt were quoted in the Sunday New York Times Retiring Column on Sunday, September 22, 2024 entitled: Going Solo: How to Plan for Retirement When You’re on Your Own. The Navigating Solo Network was also highlighted.

• Healthcare Advocate and Solo Aging Educator Ailene Gerhardt’s article Shake Up Your Advance Care Plan was published in Next Avenue on September 12, 2024 and offers a new approach to advance care planning. 

• The Unique Planning Needs of Solo Agers Series was featured in a front page article of the September 24, 2024 edition of The Patriot Ledger.

Research:

• The Pew Research Center released their report entitled The Experiences of U.S. Adults Who Don’t Have Children in July 2024.

Podcasts:

• Healthcare Advocate and Solo Aging Educator Nancy Ruffner was a recent guest on Boomer Banter and discussed solo aging and healthcare advocacy: Knowing How to Conquer the Healthcare Maze is Crucial to Aging Well!

• Caregiving and Solo Aging Expert Joy Loverde was a panelist during the Get Ready! Money Podcast: Who Will Take Care of Me When I'm Old? A Solo Aging Discussion

The Navigating Solo Resource Library includes links to articles, interviews, research, video presentations/discussions, access to finding local resources and (NEW addition) information about solo aging and free infographics!  Visit the library here and refer others to the fantastic resources available!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Navigating Solo™ 201: Advanced Insights for Aging Well
beginning online Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Join Ailene Gerhardt, Board Certified Patient Advocate and national Solo Aging Expert, for an interactive and comprehensive 6-part online series designed for seasoned solo agers (adults 55+ without a reliable support system). Dive into advanced strategies and practical insights to navigate the unique challenges of solo aging, and discover local and national resources to support you along the way. Meet new people! This empowering series is not to be missed!

Ageism Awareness Day, October 9, 2024

Join with others across the country to draw attention to the existence and impact of ageism in our society and how we can reframe aging in our communities.

Attendees have joined us for previous events from Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina,Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington DC, Washington, Canada, and Mexico.

The Navigating Solo™ Podcast is a dedicated platform where we explore the unique needs and concerns of solo aging with a focus on empowerment, connection, and proactive planning.

Ways to Connect with The Navigating Solo™ Podcast:

• You can easily subscribe to The Navigating Solo™ Podcast on all major platforms including Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, YouTube, Audible, iHeart and wherever you get your podcasts.

• You can also watch our podcast discussions on The Navigating Solo™ Podcast website and The Navigating Solo Network YouTube channel!

• Interested in being a guest? Share your ideas here!

• Join The Navigating Solo™ Podcast Mailing List to hear about new episodes and more!

To submit your episode ideas or questions, you can email the podcast directly at podcast@navigatingsolo.com, or connect with us on social media. We’re on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok under the handle TheNavigatingSoloPodcast. We will be posting updates, sneak peeks of upcoming episodes, and more ways to get involved.

Navigating Solo™ Network: The path to dynamic solo aging starts here!™, an initiative of Beacon Patient Solutions LLC, is a national network and online clearinghouse featuring events, news, and resources specifically for Solo Agers!