Download - Senior Health Care: Groing Old
Growing Old and Independence
Growing Old and Independence
In our society, childhood is full of gaining independence.
As a part of growing up, it is expected for children to slowly learn to take steps on their own and gain the freedom required for adulthood.
The World of Adulthood
On my 16th birthday, I was ushered into the new world of driving, my 18th Birthday introduced me to the world of
adulthood by gaining the right vote, and my most recent experience at
college has enabled me to live on my own.
The World of Adulthood
As I experienced each of these important milestones, my father
always made it a point to reiterate one of his favorite sayings: “With more
freedom comes more responsibility.”
The World of Adulthood
Thus, getting my license also meant paying for gas, turning 18 meant
getting a job, and coming to college meant learning to cook and paying
rent on time.
The World of Adulthood
Recently, I was introduced to another huge milestone in my life, turning 20. I felt a mix of excitement, but also a bit of disappointment as I realized I am no
longer a teenager. As I dwelled on this fact, I also thought of my 94-year-old great grandmother.
The World of Adulthood
I thought about all she had lived through: The Great Depression, 2 World Wars, countless weddings,
funerals, birthdays, and holidays. I also thought about her independence.
Family Maters
My family faced a number of challenges in caring for my great grandmother. One of the hardest
things my grandfather said he ever had to do was take her car keys away
from her.
Family Maters
For a while, she was upset with him and refused to stop driving. But
eventually, she turned in the keys.
Family Maters
Until this year, she continued to live in her own home with caregivers working around the clock to help with cooking,
cleaning, bathing, and medication.
Millions Growing Older
My great grandmother’s story is not unique. With the baby boomer
generation rapidly reaching retirement, this problem is affecting a
large portion of the population.
Millions Growing Older
The NY Times states, “People 85 and older are the fastest-growing age group; by 2020, there will be 6.6
million people in that age bracket.”
Millions Growing Older
Millions of senior citizens and their families are learning to adapt to the
changes of growing older, but this is a gradual and difficult process.
Millions Growing Older
The elderly must adapt to several new circumstances in their lives including growing ill, feeling lonely, accepting death, and becoming dependent.
Among these circumstances, accepting dependence can actually be more
difficult than accepting death.
Millions Growing Older
According to a survey conducted by The National Disabled Living
Foundation Charity, “75% of people feared getting ill and becoming
dependent while just 29% feared dying.”
Freedom From Responsibility
In our society, it is common to assume children gain independence as they
grow old and adults lose independence as they grow old.
Freedom From Responsibility
When I think of my great grandmother, I sometimes wonder if she was really
stripped of her independence when we took her car keys, or if somehow she
was actually liberated from a sense of responsibility.
Freedom From Responsibility
If my dad is right, and more freedom means more responsibility, then does
less freedom somehow mean less responsibility?
Freedom From Responsibility
While my great grandmother could no longer drive on her own, she could now
enjoy spending time with one of her children as they drove her to the
grocery store.
Freedom From Responsibility
Being cared for doesn’t necessarily include losing independence; instead, being cared for includes gaining more time with your family and saving more
time for yourself.