By Rafael Marquez
When people picture themselves in their golden years, the image is usually one where they are surrounded by loved ones and all of their basic needs are being met.
Increasingly, however, more and more seniors are finding themselves aging alone and with fewer and fewer resources and options that enable them to continue living full lives.
According to research conducted by SeniorCare.com, a senior advocacy group, an increasing number of senior citizens are finding themselves spending their golden years living alone. They are often without support from loved ones and with few community resources available to them.
Dr. Maria Torroella Carney, chief of geriatrics and palliative medicine at North Shore-LIJ Health System in New York, coined the term “elder orphan” in reference to aging alone.
Carol Marak, spokesperson for SeniorCare.com prefers the term aging alone.
Marak believes that whether you age alone or are surrounded by loved ones, people are responsible for making arrangements for their care as they get older.
She said communities, and in particular city governments, “should get more involved by providing services like better transit options, sidewalks, affordable housing options, etc.”
Transit options are needed to help seniors get around town so they can handle their needs, Marak said. Needs can range from getting to the grocery store, or other shopping necessities and going to doctors appointments.
She also said more affordable housing options are needed for seniors to live on their own. Buda and Kyle both have affordable living options for seniors. Those include Creekside Villas in Buda, which offers income restricted housing for seniors over 55.
Kyle City Councilwoman Daphne Tenorio expressed concern about the affordability of living in Kyle.
Tenorio said Kyle has “the highest tax rate in the county and now the city wants to implement additional water/wastewater fees” which would put even more strain on the affordability of living in the city.
But she said Kyle offers some public housing vouchers. The government also allows for a $30,000 deduction in assessed valuation of a home for anyone over 65.
While Kyle terminated its contract for demand response service from the Capital Area Rural Transportation Service (CARTS) due to budget constraints, Tenorio said the city provides seniors transportation via its agreement with Buda Taxi.
Historic City Hall is also used by Senior Zone, which uses the space to hold luncheons and group meetings that are open to area seniors at a discounted rate. In Buda, the Onion Creek Senior Citizens Center, located on Barton’s Crossing, offers many programs.
Merak said municipalities should provide tools or options to let people who want or have to age alone be able to take care of themselves in their golden years.
“‘Help me help myself’ is the bottom line when it comes to aging alone,” Marak said.
Aging alone in Kyle
Marak’s organization went over data from the CDC, the Social Security Administration, the US Census Bureau and provided the following data for that pertains specifically to the City of Kyle:
Average Social Security Income per household receiving the benefits in Kyle: $14,291
Average retirement income per household receiving it in Kyle: $16,675
Median Household Income for seniors in Kyle: $47,132
Percentage of senior households with annual income less than $20k: 19%
Percentage of seniors in Kyle that live alone: 19%
Percentage of seniors living alone that are female: 70%
