Jun 7, 2026
When we’re young, we might not think about the logistics of aging at all. Then, as we move through phases in our lives, we may expect a spouse, kids, or grandkids to take care of us or help us make decisions when we’re older.
Life doesn’t always play out that way, though. Whether you’re divorced, your spouse has passed away, you chose to stay single, you’re estranged from your children, or you never had kids — there are many reasons people age alone.
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Amy Kant has enjoyed much of her life as a single woman. But at age 65, she now must deal with medical procedures, estate planning, and downsizing her home, which is a lot to take on by herself.
“It all falls on me,” Kant told The Wall Street Journal.
It can be overwhelming to take on these new responsibilities without family members by your side. It can also feel difficult to ask friends to take on huge roles in your life, such as driving you to appointments or acting as your power of attorney.
Here’s how to take action so that aging alone is easier and less stressful.
Hire financial professionals to do the heavy lifting
You may have limited personal support as you age alone, but you can build a team of experts to provide professional support.
If you don’t already have a financial adviser, consider hiring one with experience working with seniors. They’ll gather your financial documents to gain a deep understanding of your fiscal situation. Then, they’re able to help you understand how careful you need to be with spending moving forward, based on your savings and assets. They can also answer any questions about things like retirement plan distribution requirements.
An estate attorney will help you set up an estate plan, including drafting a will, creating a living trust, naming powers of attorney, updating your beneficiaries, and more.
It does cost money to work with a financial adviser and estate attorney, but the payoff is usually worth it. Ask others in your personal network about which professionals they may have used, or search online to find affordable, recommended experts in your area.
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Decide where you want to live in your golden years
One of Kant’s main concerns is changing her living situation. She currently lives in a condo with stairs. This arrangement is difficult for people aging alone who don’t always have someone nearby to help them around their home. Not only are stairs impractical for many as they get older, but if you’ve had a recent surgery, as Kant has, stairs become even more difficult to use.
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Kant is looking into 55+ living communities. These areas typically don’t provide healthcare services, but they charge dues so their staff can handle issues that become harder as you age, such as yard work or home repairs. Many even include amenities such as golf courses, workout centers, and pools.
If you’re a little older, you may prefer a continuing care retirement community (CCRC). These living arrangements offer many of the same perks as 55+ communities and also provide health services. As a result, they’re often better for people who want to move to one place and stay long-term. These added perks also make them more expensive than 55+ communities.
Do you want to maintain more independence in your golden years? You could always just downsize into a smaller, single-story home that requires less upkeep and is easier to get around.
Build a medical care team before the last minute
You don’t want to wait until an emergency to find a medical team on which you can rely. A major benefit of a CCRC is that it provides nursing staff and assisted living care.
If you’re living at home or in a 55+ community, you’ll need to find your own medical care. You may prefer to see medical professionals who specialize in care for older patients. For example, home health care services can visit your home for a few hours a day or longer, depending on your needs and budget. They help with things like physical therapy and distributing medications. Home health care is especially useful if you are recovering from surgery or sickness.
Home health aides are also worthwhile options for people aging alone who can’t drive anymore and need rides to social events, the doctor’s office, or other appointments. They’ll even stay at an appointment with you so you have a second set of ears to gather and retain important information.
If you can afford it, look into hiring a concierge doctor. You’ll probably pay a monthly or annual retainer fee, but you’ll receive personalized care and longer visits. The physician will also have the time to get to know you well, which helps them tailor treatments to your needs.
There are a lot of logistics to figure out as you age, and the list can feel never-ending if you don’t have a partner, children, or close family to help you check off tasks. However, by planning ahead of time and choosing the right professionals, you can set yourself up for later in life.
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Laura Grace Tarpley is a contributing reporter for Moneywise who has been covering personal finance and working in digital media for 10 years. Her expertise spans banking, investing, retirement, loans, mortgages, and taxes.
