There is no set definition for elder orphans but they are generally considered those that have no friends or family to visit them in old age. As the Baby Boom generation retires, this type of elder is expected to rise due to the higher percentage of people that have never married or had children. However, there is good news in that the children of Boomers (those that have them) have stated, through polling, they are willing to take care of their parents and value having them in their life. Polling has also revealed that a vast majority of people do not have to face dying alone as extended family usually rally to the bedside when death is near.
See Amy Ziettlow & Naomi Cahn, The Future of Elder Orphans, Family Studies, June 10, 2015.
