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.