1. An exclusive apha VIDEO webinar
SPOTLIGHT ON SOLOS
An exclusive apha VIDEO webinar

4. 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

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

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

7. 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)

8. Risk Factors For Solo-ness common 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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?

12. Implication Demand for Non-Family support will Increase
Example: Minnesota Solos
YOUTH
EARLY ADULTHOOD
LONG MIDDLE
LATE LIFE
23%
46%
30%
Gen X
Boomers
Silent / Greatest

13. Solos Need Various Kinds Of Support
Examples: Decisional Roles
Advocate
Navigator
Coordinator
Researcher
Evaluator
Decision Helper / Coach
Planner
Decision Maker
Emergency Contact
APHA members are skilled at all of these!

14. 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

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

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

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

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

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

20. Additional Information
Citizens League/MN Elder Justice Center Solos Task Force Copy of Phase 1 Report
Linda J. Camp Follow-up questions, information sharing