Greater than 16 million People reside alone whereas rising previous — an unprecedented quantity. But little is understood about their experiences.
KFF Well being Information’ Navigating Growing older columnist, Judith Graham, spent six months this yr speaking to older adults who dwell alone by selection or by circumstance — mostly, a partner’s demise. They shared their hopes and fears, challenges, and methods for growing old solo.
This slice of the older inhabitants has important well being points: Practically 4 in 10 folks age 65 or older who dwell alone have imaginative and prescient or listening to loss, issue caring for themselves and dwelling independently, issues with cognition, or different disabilities. Folks growing old alone are additionally at increased threat of turning into remoted, depressed, and inactive; having accidents; and neglecting to look after themselves.
KFF Well being Information and The John A. Hartford Basis will maintain a 90-minute interactive, digital occasion known as “Going It Alone,” starting at 11:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Dec. 11. Be a part of us for a frank dialog with six of the folks featured in Graham’s sequence. Graham and the panelists will take questions from the viewers.
About KFF Well being Information and KFFKFF Well being Information is a nationwide newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about well being points and is among the core working applications at KFF—an unbiased supply of well being coverage analysis polling, and journalism. KFF Well being Information receives grant funding from The John A. Hartford Basis, amongst different sources, and retains full editorial management over its journalism.
About The John A. Hartford FoundationThe John A. Hartford Basis, based mostly in New York Metropolis, is a personal, nonpartisan, nationwide philanthropy devoted to bettering the care of older adults. The chief within the area of growing old and well being, the inspiration has three areas of emphasis: creating age-friendly well being programs, supporting household caregivers, and bettering severe sickness and end-of-life care.
