Episode 17: How to Navigate Solo Aging with Dr. Sara Zeff Geber

In this episode of The Real Retirement Show, hosts Yasmin and Kathleen talk with Dr. Sara Zeff Geber, a leading expert on solo aging. Sara shares her journey highlighting the unique challenges faced by solo agers - individuals aging without family support. The discussion explores critical aspects such as choosing living arrangements, including the pros and cons of aging in place versus senior living communities. Sara emphasizes the importance of planning for financial, legal, and social needs, and introduces the concept of home sharing as a viable option for social interaction and care. She also stresses the need for professionals, such as financial advisors and legal experts, to assist solo agers in creating robust support systems. Sara concludes with inspiring stories of solo agers who have proactively planned their futures and offers resources for further learning. 00:00 Introduction: The Biggest Hurdle for Solo Agers01:22 Welcome to The Real Retirement Show02:05 Meet Sara Zeff Geber: Expert on Solo Aging03:10 Sara's Personal Journey into Solo Aging05:29 Defining Solo Aging09:06 Challenges and Misconceptions of Solo Aging15:00 Planning for the Future: Financial, Legal, and Social Aspects18:41 Community and Support Systems for Solo Agers27:51 Inspiration and Success Stories32:03 Final Thoughts and Resources About Sara Zeff Geber, PhD Sara is the nation’s foremost expert on Solo Aging.  She is an author, professional speaker, and certified retirement coach. In 2018, Sara was named an “Influencer in Aging” by PBS’ Next Avenue and is a regular contributor to Forbes.com in the areas of aging and retirement. She has also been featured and quoted in The Journal of Active Aging, Certified Senior Advisor Journal, Next Avenue, Senior Living Foresight, McKnights Living, Senior Housing Business, and many others.Sara’s book, Essential Retirement Planning for Solo Agers: A Retirement and Aging Roadmap for Single and Child-free Adults, was published in 2018, and was selected that year as a ‘best book on aging well’ by the WSJ.  Resources Website: https://sarazeffgeber.com/ Books: https://sarazeffgeber.com/books/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarazeffgeber/ Real Retirement Video Podcast: Real Retirement - YouTube