Timothy Rogers, 73, has lived alone for 51 years. The lifelong Merrick resident and business owner, who is not married and has no children, has planned for a future when he may not be as independent and mobile as he is now.

“I have a trustworthy friend who is my health care proxy to handle my health care wishes if I’m not able to,” said Rogers, an only child whose parents have passed away. “I have another good friend who has a power of attorney to act on my behalf for financial decisions. I also have a will.”

Rogers is part of a growing demographic of solo agers defined by AARP as people 50 and older who grow old alone, aren’t married and have no living children. According to a 2021 report by the U.S. Census Bureau , nearly 28% of adults 55-plus who lived alone were childless.

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