Older Americans living alone often rely on neighbors or others willing to help

By KFF Health News
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Donald Hammen
Julie McMahon
Although Donald Hammen lives alone in south Minneapolis, a web of relationships binds him to his city and his community. Every morning his next-door neighbor, Julie McMahon, checks to see whether he’s raised the blinds in his dining room window. If not, she’ll try to get in touch with Hammen to see

Lifetouch LLC
Linda Camp, a former administrator with the city of St. Paul, Minnesota, has written several reports about solo agers. But she was still surprised by how much help she required this summer when she had cataract surgery on both eyes. Camp was fortunate — she has a sizable network of former co-workers, neighbors, and friends. “What I tell people when I talk about solos is that all kinds of connections have value,” she says. (Lifetouch LLC)

Michelle Wallace
Michelle Wallace, a former technology project manager, lives alone in a single-family home in Broomfield, Colorado. She describes herself as happily unpartnered. “Coupling isn’t for me,” she says. “I need my space and my privacy too much.” Instead, Wallace has cultivated relationships with several people she met through local groups for solo agers. Many have become close friends. (Michelle Wallace)

Judy Graham for KFF Health News
Jobie Stern, Gardner Stern’s ex-wife, lives 10 floors above him in the same condominium complex. She goes to all of his doctor appointments, takes him grocery shopping, drives him to physical therapy twice a week, and stops in every afternoon to chat for about an hour. (Judy Graham for KFF Health News)
Joy Loverde
Gardner Stern (right) lives alone in a Chicago condominium complex. He never planned for his care needs in older age. He just figured things would work out, one way or another. Joy Loverde (left), an elder-care specialist, lives in the same building and is Stern’s “tell it like it is” friend. Loverde helped Stern decide to give up driving and persuaded him to have a walk-in shower with a bench installed in his bathroom. (Joy Loverde)

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