Aging Without a Safety Net

What To Do When Family Isn’t Nearby

When an older adult faces a crisis, most of us picture family members rushing in to help. But what happens when there’s no one nearby, or no one able to step in?

Recently, I was contacted by a family in Toronto whose elderly aunt lives alone in Edmonton. She’s living with dementia, has no children, and her only sister lives in Calgary.

After a sudden incident in her condo left her displaced, she had nowhere to go and no one local to help coordinate her care. Her family didn’t understand how Alberta’s healthcare and housing systems worked, and they were thousands of kilometres away.

The only way she received immediate help was through paid support: private caregivers and a local professional to organize and advocate on her behalf.

It all turned out okay, but it was a stressful, expensive, and avoidable scramble.

The Rise of “Solo Aging” in Alberta

Across Edmonton, and many other Alberta communities, I’m seeing a growing number of older adults who are aging without a safety net.

Some have never married or had children. Others have adult children who live far away.

Even when there is family, distance, work obligations, and lack of knowledge about Alberta’s healthcare system can make it nearly impossible to manage urgent needs.

This is sometimes called “solo aging,” and it’s a reality that requires more foresight than many people realize.

Crisis Without a Plan: The Hidden Risks of Aging Without a Safety Net

If you experience a medical emergency, a fall, or even something like a fire or flood in your home, you may need someone to make quick decisions, arrange care, and manage logistics right away. Without a local, trusted person in place, options often come down to:

• Private, paid homecare – which can be arranged quickly but comes with significant costs.

• Relying on neighbours or friends – who may not have the time, resources, or legal authority to help.

• Waiting for public support – which can take time to arrange and may not meet immediate needs. Many programs that exist require you to ‘fit into their box’.

In my Toronto client’s situation, the family had the financial means to hire help immediately. But for many Albertans, this kind of rapid private support may not be affordable or available without prior planning. The other challenge may be that you don’t know where to start to look for help. 

Planning Ahead: Key Steps for Peace of Mind

The good news is that with proactive planning, you can greatly reduce the stress and uncertainty in a crisis. Here are three essential steps:

1. Appoint Decision-Makers

In Alberta, a Personal Directive allows you to name someone you trust to make personal and healthcare decisions if you cannot.

A Power of Attorney names someone to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf. 

Choose people who are willing, able, and informed about your wishes. If your first choice lives far away, consider also naming a local alternate.

2. Build Your Support Network

Identify professionals, trusted friends, or community organizations in your area who could step in if needed. This may include:

• Private homecare agencies

• Professional advocates or consultants

• Neighbours who are willing to be an emergency contact

3. Prepare Financially for Emergencies

If you don’t have family living locally, having funds set aside for sudden needs is essential. This could mean:

• Paying for private care while waiting for public supports

• Covering temporary housing if you can’t return home immediately (know that it’s next to impossible to access this within our public system)

• Hiring professional coordination services to manage the situation

The Bottom Line

Aging without a safety net doesn’t mean you’re destined for crisis, it means you need a plan.

The earlier you put key documents, contacts, and resources in place, the more likely you’ll be able to handle the unexpected without panic.

If you live in Edmonton or anywhere in Alberta and have family far away, or no family at all, now is the time to take stock of your plan. Ask yourself:

Who could make decisions for me tomorrow if something happened today?

Do they know my wishes and have the legal authority to act?

Do I have the resources to pay for immediate help if I need it?

If you’re unsure where to start, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

As a local professional who understands Alberta’s healthcare, housing, and support systems, I help older adults and their families create plans that work, so you can live with dignity, confidence, and peace of mind.

If you see yourself in this article, even just a little, I invite you to reach out. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

Contact Peace of Mind Consulting