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Some terms used to describe someone who lives alone include:

  • recluse
  • hermit

HOWEVER, hermit and recluse may be outdated terms, since in 2011, more adults live well into their 80s and many often live alone, in solitude. More women outlive their spouses. Often, the choice to live alone relates to wishing to stay in the house where they've lived most of their lives, even though they may need help. Because of illness, injury, or disability, often elderly or others who live alone do not go out much-- but that, by itself, does not fit the terms hermit or recluse. The terms recluse or hermit are often used inappropriately to describe them. For these persons, it is better to talk about limitations, rather than assigning a name like hermit or recluse.

As well, hermit and recluse are more often applied to anyone who acts oddly or survives in odd circumstances, or when people think a person acts "crazy" (which is an awful term to call anyone). Mental illness often causes people to withdraw, but again, that does not necessarily mean they fit the meaning of recluse or hermit. Again, limitations in the person's functioning better describes the person's circumstances, such as being withdrawn.

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13y ago

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