Winter Traditions and the Solo Ager

What comes to mind what you envision the life of an older person? Maybe it is informed by your own life, someone you know, or what you’ve seen on TV or movies? Many stereotypes and labels exist for later life – such as empty nester, retiree, grandparent – yet this large sector of the population is extremely diverse and composed of individuals with a wide variety of life experiences. According to the most recent U.S. Census nearly one in six adults age 55 and older are childless. This data may challenge a few stereotypes and reminds us that people will experience aging differently.

Not everyone has accessible family members, especially those with time and resources, who can or will walk alongside us during the good and bad times. Those that find themselves on their own as the birthdays mount have a new label – “solo agers.” This status can have an impact on just how much social support we have around us in our later years.

Solo aging can be a chosen way of life or it can be thrust upon us, forcing us to adapt and create new routines and traditions. These traditions or lack thereof can be especially significant during the winter holiday season.

A recent call I received got me thinking about this topic. The caller described being in her late 70s and living alone with no family close by. Adapting to the stay-at-home orders, she relied on the telephone for most of her social connections and raised some concerns about facing the upcoming winter holidays. What she misses most is her past holiday tradition of joining a musical group when it visits a few hospital units on Christmas day. The group disbanded due to the pandemic and she feels a sense of loss. This has her searching for ways to develop some new activities and connections.

We brainstormed ideas around encouraging her singing group to re-establish itself virtually – perhaps reaching out to local hospitals about utilizing their telehealth capabilities to sing to patients. We also talked about keeping an eye out for outdoor, socially distanced musical events to attend or getting together with her singing group for an outdoor potluck at a local park. She plans to consider upcoming opportunities and agreed that music and camaraderie is an important part of what she has most enjoyed about the season. 

In November, USC-VHH’s Community Resource Center for Aging will host two virtual events. On Nov. 16 from 3-4 p.m. our Navigating Dementia Series will discuss “Technology Tools for Caregivers.” And on Nov. 19 from 1-2 p.m. our Conversations with CRCA series hosts Tracy Green Mintz, LCSW about “Managing Expectations and Emotions During the Winter Holidays.”

You can register for either talk by calling (818) 948-4033 or emailing Adria.Navarro@med.usc.edu.