Dec. 11 Virtual Event: Walking Alone: ​​A Conversation About Aging in America

More than 16 million Americans are living alone as they age – an unprecedented number. Yet little is known about their experiences.

KFF Health News’ Navigation Aging Correspondent, Judith Graham, spent six months this year talking to seniors who live alone by choice or by circumstance – often, the death of a spouse. They share their hopes and fears, challenges, and strategies for aging alone.

This segment of the elderly population has significant health problems: About 4 in 10 people age 65 or older who live alone have vision or hearing problems, difficulty caring for themselves and living independently, cognitive problems, or other disabilities. People who age alone are also at greater risk of becoming lonely, depressed and inactive; having accidents; and neglecting self-care.

KFF Health News and the John A. Hartford Foundation will host a 90-minute interactive event called “Walking Alone,” starting at. 11:30 am ET Wednesday, Dec. 11. Join us for a candid interview with six people featured in Graham’s series. Graham and the panelists will take questions from the audience.

About KFF Health News and KFF
KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism on health issues and is one of the active programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. KFF Health News receives funding from the John A. Hartford Foundation, among other sources, and maintains full editorial control over its journalism.

About the John A. Hartford Foundation
The John A. Hartford Foundation, based in New York City, is a private, nonpartisan, national organization dedicated to improving care for the elderly. A leader in the field of aging and health, the foundation has three areas of emphasis: creating age-appropriate health systems, supporting family caregivers, and improving critical illness and end-of-life care.