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Sunday, March 23, 2025 | Special Advertising Section 18and become less able to care for theirphysical health. Other issues include:Isolation and mental health.According to Cook, the biggestconcern for solo agers is a lackof social interactions with familyand friends that can easily lead toloneliness, depression and anxiety. Infact, a recent survey of 805 seniors found that 42% of solo agers said theyhave poor mental health compared to 13% of supported agers. Health care management. Navigatingthe health care system can bechallenging for seniors who don't havefamily members to take them to doctorappointments, help them to managechronic conditions and advocate ontheir behalf.Planning for emergencies. Whilemany seniors prefer to \remaining in the home they may havelived in for decades, solo agers worryabout who will care for them if theyexperience an immediate health crisissuch as a fall or a sudden illness %u2014 or if they need groceries during asnowstorm or electrical outage.Building a network of support\ agers value theirindependence, but that doesn't meanthey don't also want to be part ofcommunity,\creating a balance.\Living in a retirement communitycan provide an instant extendedfamily for people on their own. \the time someone moves into ourfacility, they're greeted by residentambassadors who show them aroundand introduce them to the activitiesoffered here and their neighbors,\Cook says. \show up at their regular Tuesday morning chair yoga session, someonein class will likely knock on their doorto make sure they're okay.\Whether you choose to age in placeor move into a retirement community, there are ways you can build a networkof support.1. Get involved and stay active. Thatmay mean joining your neighborhoodassociation, going to exercise classesat the local community center or auditing a university course.2. Put a safety web in place. A reliable support network takes someeffort and planning to develop. ThinkSPONSORED CONTENTPROVIDED BY EMERALD COMMUNITIES | HERON'S KEYAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau,there are more than 22 million \agers\are living alone and have no adultchildren or other relatives they can turn to for support as they age. And, as the first generation of baby boomers hits their 80s, a growing number fall into this category.%u201cWe%u2019re seeing a growing numberof solo agers, many of whom weretrailblazers in the %u201860s and have embraced independence throughouttheir lives,\president of marketing and publicrelations at Emerald Communities,a not-for-profit organization withContinuing Care RetirementCommunities in Redmond and GigHarbor, Washington. \27% of adults aged 60 and older inthe U.S. live alone, and by 2030, thenumber of older adults living solo isexpected to rise significantly as thepopulation ages.The challenges of solo agingWhile solo agers face the samephysical and emotional challenges as all seniors as they age, they alsohave additional potential struggles. Arecent AARP survey of solo agers aged50 and above found that two-thirdsof respondents have no one to helpmanage their daily expenses, and 77%admitted to having little or no plansin place for assistance as they ageYour guide to building a network of support as a solo agerEmerald Communities is a not-for-profit organization committed todeveloping and managing senior living communities, providing vibrantlifestyles and comprehensive care. With financial stability, exceptional serviceand community engagement, Emerald Communities ensures that residentsLiving in a retirement community can provide an instant extended family for people enjoy a secure and enriching living experience. Learn more at heronskey.org.on their own. (Heron's Key)Look for activities to get involved and stay active. Consider joining your neighborhoodassociation or going to exercise classes at the local community center. (Heron's Key)about who you could rely on in timesof need, including friends, professional caregivers and even apps like Uberand Instacart.3. Put your long-term support planon paper. Whether you have spokento a close friend about your legal andmedical wishes or you need to appointa professional advocate, it's critical toget your legal documentation in orderincluding durable power of attorney, aliving will and a healthcare proxy. As the number of older Americanscontinues to grow, with more and morepeople remaining healthy and vital intotheir 80s and beyond, we'll continue tosee the number of solo agers increase. \ good news is that whether youchoose a retirement community orseek out resources on your own,there are a lot of choices in the Seattlemarket for solo seniors who want tobuild a network of support,\