Problematic Aging Situation: Losing My Independence
1. How Losing My Independence Could Affect Me
In my first blog post, the problem of aging that I fear the most is losing my independence. I want to be able to take care of myself, make my own decisions, travel, go to concerts, and spend time with my family. If I lost my independence, I think it would affect many areas of my life. Physically, I may need help with everyday activities like cooking, bathing, driving, or getting around. Emotionally, I would probably feel scared, frustrated, and possibly depressed because I would not be able to do things on my own. Socially, it could become harder to see family and friends or participate in activities I enjoy. Financially, I could have additional expenses from healthcare, transportation, home modifications, or personal care. My first reaction would probably be fear because I would not want to feel like a burden to my daughter or family. At the same time, I would have to remind myself that needing help does not mean that I am no longer capable of having a meaningful life.
2. How It Would Change My Ideal Life
My ideal life as an older adult includes being healthy, retired, traveling, going to concerts, and spending time with my family. Losing my independence would change some of those plans. I might need help traveling or getting to places, and I may not be able to do things as freely as I do now. However, I could still enjoy the things that are important to me. I could travel with family, attend accessible concerts, and continue making memories. I would have to learn that being independent does not always mean doing everything by myself. It can also mean being able to make my own choices.
3. CARA Model, GRRs, and Resilience
The CARA model shows how people can use resources to cope with challenges and develop resilience. For me, family and social support would be important GRRs. My family could provide emotional support, transportation, and help with everyday activities. Financial resources and healthcare would also help me maintain as much independence as possible. Doctors, physical therapists, and social workers could help me adjust to changes and find ways to continue doing the things I enjoy. For me, resilience would mean learning to adjust instead of giving up. Even if I needed help, I could still make decisions, maintain relationships, travel in different ways, and enjoy my life.
4. Peer-Reviewed Research
Crocker et al. (2024) talks interventions that help older adults maintain their independence. Their research found that things such as individualized care planning, exercise, medication management, and support with daily activities can help older adults remain independent. This relates to my situation because it shows that needing some assistance does not automatically mean losing all independence.
A second one is by Noone et al. (2020) looked at ways to reduce loneliness and social isolation in older adults. The study discussed interventions such as counseling, psychotherapy, and technology-based support. These types of interventions could help someone who is struggling emotionally with becoming less independent.
References
Crocker, T. F., Ensor, J., Lam, N., et al. (2024). Community-based complex interventions to sustain independence in older people: Systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMJ, 384, e077764. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-077764
Noone, C., McSharry, J., Smalle, M., Burns, A., Dwan, K., Devane, D., & Morrissey, A. M. (2020). Video calls for reducing social isolation and loneliness in older people: A rapid review. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020(5), CD013349. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD013349.pub2
Hello makia, Your point about learning to accept help while still making your own choices really stood out to me. I also agree that family and social support can make a big difference in preventing loneliness and isolation. My fear was also losing my independence.
Several of you have said that losing independence is your biggest concern about aging. I have been having trouble writing my feedback, and I think I have finally figured out why. It seems that many of you equate aging with dependence. I don’t know what conditions you are afraid of, what things you believe might happen to you, or what diseases you might have that would decrease your independence. I think our culture has conditioned people to assume that aging, in and of itself, means less independence.
Many things decrease our independence as we age, and there are many degrees of dependence and independence. Perhaps the problem is really how we view aging, right? If aging were just another stage of our transition into our fourth chapter, then we would approach it quite differently. We plan for our careers, our families, and our financial decisions. Maybe we just need to add our fourth chapter to that planning. The podcast with Kendall Crye, our Aging Life Care Manager, will be a good chance for us to talk more about all of this.
I think it would have been easier to focus your references if you had thought about what would cause your lack of independence. You see, it’s not simply aging. It’s the vagaries, the potential complications, or aging that affect our ability to do things for ourselves. And while all of the GRRs are important, sometimes it helps to focus on your specific fears when you think about what you might need most. I think Chapter 3 and 4 in Cruikshank will be interesting for you to consider. And I am looking forward to conversations about the upcoming podcasts.
Hello makia, Your point about learning to accept help while still making your own choices really stood out to me. I also agree that family and social support can make a big difference in preventing loneliness and isolation. My fear was also losing my independence.
Makia,
Several of you have said that losing independence is your biggest concern about aging. I have been having trouble writing my feedback, and I think I have finally figured out why. It seems that many of you equate aging with dependence. I don’t know what conditions you are afraid of, what things you believe might happen to you, or what diseases you might have that would decrease your independence. I think our culture has conditioned people to assume that aging, in and of itself, means less independence.
Many things decrease our independence as we age, and there are many degrees of dependence and independence. Perhaps the problem is really how we view aging, right? If aging were just another stage of our transition into our fourth chapter, then we would approach it quite differently. We plan for our careers, our families, and our financial decisions. Maybe we just need to add our fourth chapter to that planning. The podcast with Kendall Crye, our Aging Life Care Manager, will be a good chance for us to talk more about all of this.
I think it would have been easier to focus your references if you had thought about what would cause your lack of independence. You see, it’s not simply aging. It’s the vagaries, the potential complications, or aging that affect our ability to do things for ourselves. And while all of the GRRs are important, sometimes it helps to focus on your specific fears when you think about what you might need most. I think Chapter 3 and 4 in Cruikshank will be interesting for you to consider. And I am looking forward to conversations about the upcoming podcasts.
Dr P