Apprehension About Aging Alone | Psychology Today

I was having a session with a client who said she enjoyed living alone and couldn’t fathom sharing her space with anyone else. Inside I was agreeing with her wholeheartedly and understanding where she was coming from. I didn’t disclose to her that I haven’t lived with roommates since college and I, too, could not imagine sharing my space with a friend, husband, lover, or anyone else, catering to the whims of others, tiptoeing around when I wake at 2 am.

But as I age and health concerns accumulate, I become more concerned about living alone. A couple of weeks ago I was carrying a half-full coffee cup back to the kitchen — in my favorite mug, I might add — and I fell. The cup broke and coffee spilled all over my beige rug. I was okay, more scared and shocked than anything. Having osteoporosis, I was just thankful I didn’t break anything.

After my stroke, I purchased an Apple watch because it has a feature that will automatically call 911 if you fall. My stroke occurred in the middle of the night and at that time I was fortunate I was cognizant enough to get myself to the hospital. Even after five years, the doctors never discovered the cause, and I remain fearful that it could happen again as I get older.

An estimated 6.6 percent of American adults aged 55 and older have no living spouse or biological children, according to a study published in 2017 in The Journals of Gerontology: Series B….