Solo Aging: Building Your Personal Network (Part 1)
Introduction
Are you aging alone and finding it challenging? You're not alone. Many people, known as "solo agers" or "elder orphans" face the same struggle. One of the biggest challenges is not having a support system. But don't worry; in this blog post, we'll show you how to build your own personal network to help you navigate this journey.
This blog is based on a YouTube Video from the Positive Aging Community hosted by Steve Gurney. The video features Glenna Crooks, Ph.D., discussing solo agers and the need to build a personal network. Glenna gives us eight networking groups to draw our unique support team together. In this 2 part series, you will learn what network groups you may need and how to find them.
Who Might Need a Personal Network
An individual or couple without children
Someone who never married or had children
A person living alone since the divorce or death of a partner
Those whose children or relatives live far away or are estranged.
Individuals can take proactive steps to build a support network that provides companionship, understanding, and a sense of belonging.
In a powerful example of the importance of having a strong network during emergencies, Glenna shares a story about a woman who experienced a life-changing car accident. Trapped in a coma, the woman's nearest relative, her married granddaughter, lived two hours away from her family. Upon receiving the news, the granddaughter immediately rushed to her grandmother's side. However, as the days passed and her grandmother remained unconscious in the hospital, the granddaughter faced a daunting challenge. She tirelessly searched every corner of her grandmother's house, desperately seeking any connection to her grandmother's friends or support network. Despite her efforts, she couldn't find anyone to offer the necessary support upon her grandmother's return home. Just as she was about to give up, a spark of hope ignited. Remembering her grandmother's lifelong membership in the Methodist Church, she dialed every Methodist Church in the area until she found the one her grandmother belonged to. To her relief, the people at the church were familiar with her grandmother's friends, and these friends, in turn, knew even more individuals who could provide support. With the help of this newfound network, the granddaughter gathered a group of caring individuals who formed a support system for her grandmother during her recovery. This story serves as a reminder to us all: would your friends or family know who to turn to in your network during a time of need, or would you be left without the support you require?
Before a crisis occurs, we should determine who in our network can help. Glenna breaks these networks into two groups. This blog will address Life Networks only.
The Life Network events are enduring relationships. They might include
Birthright Network: Family, Health Vitality, Education and Enrichment, Spiritual, Social & Community
Coming-of-Age Network: Career, Home & Personal Affairs, Ghosts
Creating a Supportive Family Network as a Solo Ager
Family Networks:
Family networks refer to the interconnected relationships among family members, including immediate family, extended family, and even individuals who are not related by blood or marriage but are considered family. These networks play a crucial role in solo aging, providing emotional, social, and sometimes physical support. They can be essential for solo agers who lack traditional family structures and can be supplemented or replaced by strong community ties and friendships.
Building a Strong Foundation: Harnessing the Power of Community for Health and Vitality
Health and Vitality Network:
Comprehensive support: The Health and Vitality network offers support services and resources to enhance well-being. This may include access to healthcare professionals, fitness programs, nutrition guidance, mental health support, and other resources that promote health and vitality.
Collaborative community: The Health and Vitality network fosters a collaborative community where individuals can connect, share experiences, and learn from one another. This sense of community can provide motivation, encouragement, and support to help individuals achieve their health and vitality goals.
Holistic approach: The Health and Vitality network takes a holistic approach to well-being, recognizing that health encompasses physical, mental, and emotional aspects. It emphasizes the importance of addressing all these dimensions to achieve optimal health and vitality, offering resources and strategies that cater to the whole person.
Part 2 Will present information on the following networks to create as a solo-ager.
Education and Enrichment Networks
Social and Community Networks
Spiritual Networks
Career Networks
Home and Personal Networks
Ghost Networks
Pet Networks