JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Growing older without a spouse, children, or close family nearby is becoming more common than many people realize. Experts say it’s a trend that’s only expected to grow, and waiting until you need help may be too late.

Dr. Macie Smith, a gerontologist with Synergy HomeCare, joined In Depth with Kristine Bellino to talk about what’s known as solo aging and why planning ahead can make life much easier later on.

A solo ager is someone who doesn’t have close family to lean on as they get older. Maybe they never married, never had children, or their loved ones live far away. Even people with family can end up in this situation if they don’t have anyone nearby who can help.

Smith says that’s becoming more common because families today are much smaller than they used to be. People are having fewer children, and more adults are choosing not to marry or are living on their own later in life.

“It’s never if you’ll need help,” Smith said. “It’s when.”

She also pointed out that many older adults don’t want to feel like they’re burdening their children or other relatives, especially if those family members are busy raising their own families or live in another state.

Don’t wait until there’s an emergency

One of Smith’s biggest pieces of advice is to start planning before something happens.

She recommends finding a geriatric care manager, who can connect people with local resources and help them understand what kind of support is available. She also suggests talking with a certified elder law attorney and a financial advisor to prepare for the cost of long-term care.

Another tip? Get to know a home care company before you actually need one.

That way, if the day comes when you need help with everyday tasks like getting dressed, bathing, or preparing meals, you already know who to call.

Smith says many people assume Medicare or private insurance will pay for those services, but that’s often not the case. Many types of long-term care, especially non-medical care, have to be paid for out of pocket.

One community that grows with you

Smith also recommends looking into Continuing Care Retirement Communities, or CCRCs.

These communities allow people to live independently while they’re healthy, but if their needs change over time, they can move into assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing without leaving the same community.

Instead of moving somewhere unfamiliar every time their health changes, residents stay in a place they already know. Smith says that familiarity can bring comfort, lower stress, and make the transition much easier as people get older.

Why planning early matters

The conversation also touched on conservators, professionals who can manage someone’s finances if memory loss or cognitive decline makes it difficult to do it themselves.

Smith said that isn’t something everyone needs, but it can be an important safeguard for people who are beginning to struggle with memory or decision-making.

She shared the story of a man with early dementia who unknowingly spent all of his family’s retirement savings before anyone realized what was happening. By the time his wife discovered it, it was too late, and they eventually had to sell their home.

That’s why Smith says it’s important not to ignore the early signs of memory problems. Planning ahead while someone can still make decisions gives families more options and can help avoid difficult situations later.

Start planning today

Before the interview ended, Smith encouraged people to think about who they could call if they suddenly needed help.

If the answer is one person or no one she says now is the time to start building a support team. That could include a geriatric care manager, an elder law attorney, a financial advisor, and a home care provider.

People looking for a geriatric care manager can visit AgingLifeCare.org to find one in their area. Smith also says talking with these professionals early can help people understand their options, create a financial plan, and be better prepared for whatever the future brings.

For more information about Dr. Macie Smith and her work, visit Drmaciesmith.com.

▶ Listen to Jacksonville’s Morning News Interviews

[ Read more local news from WOKV ]

Click here to download our free news, weather and traffic app. And click here to subscribe to our daily 3 Big Things newsletter.