Living Independently For Older Adults Analysis

1. What about the story helped you to gain an understanding of the experience of living independently for older adults?
During her story about living independently in the community her ability to take herself places on her own is very important. Her independence is tied heavily to not being stuck at home and relying on someone to take her where she wants to go. I realized from her story that many older adults link independence with the ability to drive, and that taking away that privilege will make them feel that we are taking away their independence. I also gained an understanding of the importance of being social in the community for older adults. If the older adult is unable to go out to places such as church, or out to eat, or shopping they feel much less independent. From her explanation of how important it is to be involved in church, I understand that for many older adults they want to feel a part of a community and feel as if they are contributing.

2. What lessons did you learn?
Throughout this interview, I learned how important being around other people is to older adults. It is important to make sure older adults have the ability to continue to be part of a community even if they lose the ability to leave their home on their own. They

They fear losing the ability to transport themselves due to loss in eye sight, health, hearing, etc. I also assumed that older adults did not want to be heavily involved in a community. Usually older adults are happy being around family with whom they visit. After this interview, I realize that older adults want to still be useful in their communities. I also assumed that older adults’ biggest fear is being placed in a nursing home. Though, she did not mention a nursing home or assisted living at all. Sometimes older adults’ biggest fear is not being a part of their family’s lives rather than where they will live as they