As more adults age without nearby Family support—often called "solo Aging" or "aging alone"—communities are developing practical tools to help people prepare for the realities of independent later life. A recent panel discussion hosted by Steve Gurney of the Positive Aging Community brought together Experts to explore one such initiative: Carol Marak’s Solo and Smart program.
The panel featured Carol Marak, author of Solo and Smart and creator of the program; Juliet Simone, Chief Program Officer at Oasis Institute; and Carol Grueneich, Director of the Northborough Senior Center in Massachusetts. Their conversation highlighted real-world strategies for navigating Health, social connections, legal needs, and financial stability when aging without traditional family safety nets.
The Growing Reality of Solo Aging
Carol Marak’s work stems from personal experience. While caring for her parents, she realized many older adults are “one illness, one fall, or one hospitalization away from having no plan.” As someone aging without a spouse or children, Marak launched an “elder orphan” Facebook group that quickly grew to thousands of members. This revealed a widespread but often overlooked challenge: independent adults wanting to age in place but lacking built-in support systems.
“I started reaching out to organizations like Oasis,” Marak explained. Her goal was to help people move beyond fear and create actionable plans.
Inside the Solo and Smart Program
The program is a structured workshop (typically 5–6 weeks) that combines Education, group discussion, worksheets, and expert guest speakers. Participants actively work on building their own plans rather than just listening to theory.
Key modules include:
Redefining Independence: Moving from self-reliance to building a trusted network of people and professionals.
Health and Caregiving: Staying healthy and preparing for in-home care or help during recovery.
Social Engagement: Combating isolation by building meaningful connections with like-minded people.
Building a Local Support Network: Engaging neighbors, friends, and professionals who can notice changes in well-being.
Legal and Financial Matters: Setting up documents like healthcare proxies, powers of attorney, and strategies to avoid outliving one’s savings.
A core strength is the interactive format. Participants complete homework, discuss challenges in groups, and get direct input from experts such as Estate planning attorneys, care managers, and home care providers. Many groups continue meeting monthly after the formal sessions end.
Successful Implementation Across Communities
Oasis Institute (with locations nationwide, including St. Louis) has run multiple iterations. They started with deep dives into printed materials in small groups, then incorporated more guest speakers for practical expertise. Their upcoming version blends both approaches over six weeks.
Juliet Simone noted strong participant feedback and real outcomes, such as follow-up meetings between attendees and professionals. Oasis expanded the audience beyond strict “solo agers” to anyone who might eventually need this information—including partnered adults whose children live far away or who may one day age alone.
Northborough Senior Center in Massachusetts has offered both in-person and virtual versions. Director Carol Grueneich reported high engagement, with one group continuing monthly discussions using Marak’s worksheets and lists. The center secured grant funding and is exploring expansion.
Both organizations emphasized the value of hybrid formats to reach people with mobility issues or daytime work commitments.
Key Insights for Starting Solo Aging Initiatives
Start with Structure: A defined multi-week workshop helps people move from vague awareness to concrete planning, making ongoing support groups easier to sustain.
Broaden the Invitation: Framing the program around “information everyone needs” attracts wider participation while still meeting the specific needs of those aging alone.
Build Teams, Not Just Individuals: Marak now recommends a “team approach” for healthcare and financial proxies—combining trusted friends with professionals like aging life care managers—rather than relying on one person.
Make It Practical: Success comes from worksheets, expert Q&As, and peer sharing of real solutions.
Accessibility and Expansion
The program is available for licensing by senior centers, lifelong learning institutes, and community organizations. Licensing fees are still being finalized but are expected to range from $1,500 per year upward, depending on the term. Organizations can then offer it to participants (Oasis, for example, charges $100 for the series).
Marak welcomes outreach from individuals and organizations. She can be reached at [email protected]. Oasis Institute’s Juliet Simone also offered to consult on implementation strategies.
