Aging Without Family began as an idea for a book and slowly morphed into this website. Like aging itself, it’s a work in progress.
I’ve been an educator all my life so when I began informing myself about aging, it seemed natural to inform others in turn. I’m neither a geriatrician nor a gerontologist. Though I’ve read a lot, my knowledge of aging is idiosyncratic and personal. I was spared the caregiver experience because neither of my parents needed long-term care before they died. Like many Americans, I’ve been insulated from extreme old age.
I’m not without family entirely. I have one sister (slightly younger) and 14 living first cousins. But none of them live within 1000 miles and my sister and I both hate to travel. We’re not likely to be advocates for each other in old age.
Beyond that, I’m a stereotypical little old lady. I’m 5’2” and shrinking, I have two cats, and I grow more curmudgeonly with every news cycle.