More older Americans are entering their later years without a safety net of family or close friends, raising difficult questions about who will be there when they need help most. A recent report highlighted the growing trend of “aging alone,” with many seniors lacking traditional family support systems.
NBC Palm Springs contributors Tammy Bleck and Katrina Dixon weighed in on the issue. For Bleck, the subject is deeply personal. “I’m in my 70s, and I have one child who lives in Australia. Kids scatter—it’s not Little House on the Prairie anymore,” she explained. “Friends can become like family, but the reality is, this isn’t Japan. We don’t take care of the elderly, and funding has really been slashed.”
Dixon agreed, noting that today’s society has shifted in how it views responsibility toward elders. “I see more seniors cared for by lifelong friends or the families of those friends,” she said. “We scatter, and our sense of obligation has changed. It’s a big problem, and I see it happening more often.”
When asked if communities should step up, Dixon stressed the importance of broader action. “Yes, our communities should take care of people who paid into them for years. But how to get that done—that’s above the average citizen. It requires leadership and funding.”
As the trend continues, advocates say solutions will depend on both grassroots networks and public investment, ensuring that no one has to face old age entirely alone.
By: NBC Palm Springs
September 2, 2025
