Senior Living: What Does Independent Mean?

Independence is important to us.  Independence means different things to different people, but it is particularly meaningful to young people growing up, and to older people growing old.   Society makes huge assumptions about aging.  These assumptions tend to put the emphasis on frailty and care level rather than on independence and self reliance, perhaps because of fear of the unknown.   Older people are old because they are tough and because they are tough they are survivors. They are also survivors because they have been capable and self sufficient.

Young people seek to discover their place in society.  They do this by trying to break out of the mold and by asserting themselves.  Older people are just as desperate to establish and maintain independence.  It isn’t always easy.    Older people have a strong desire to stay in their own home and they want to be independent.   Like everyone else, older people ought to be able to be able to make their own choices.  They ought to be able to determine for themselves what their activities of daily living will be.  Not everyone is able to do this.  Independent living is impractical for some because of the type and extent of support required.  However, the majority of older individuals are capable of caring for themselves.  The key is being privy to all of the support information available.   Remember that being independent does not mean that you cannot ask for or accept help.  It is all about being able to make choices and being in control.

 We are talking about pretty basic stuff here.  Choices like deciding when you want to get up, what you want to wear and what and when you want to eat.   Choice means being able to live your lives the way you want, and not have basic rights dictated by other people’s agendas.   Older people need to be able to solve   their own problems, or at least be a part of the “committee” trying to do what is best for them.   Jane Campbell writes (The Times: London (UK) March 4, 2008) about how older people are often made dependent by those who love them most.

Independent living is more than just staying in the family home, although staying in your own home is a way of saying that you are still in charge of your life.   A handbook would be good, don’t you think?   Instead of just letting life just happen, we all need to plan.   Time goes by much too quickly and it is not surprising that we most of us are caught off guard.  Learning how to plan responsibly is the real key and it has been in front of us all this time.

Comments

[Donna A. Menner]

Independent to many seniors means living their life without having to ask for help. Many seniors could avoid moving to assisted living or nursing homes if the family members pay close attention to what is going on with their senior relative. Are they missing appointments? Could be they just need to be more organized - like using an appointment/calendar book. Or, if they are showing up for appointments on the wrong day, or wrong time it could be they just aren't hearing the information right. If they have hearing loss, an amplified phone may be another step to help them have accurate information and useful as a daily living aid.