Obstacles to Independence

There are a number of obstacles that can interfere with a persons desire to remain independent autonomous and to have self-determination

1. Money

Money tops the list in terms of obstacles to staying independent. If you don’t have enough then you could become dependent on others. If you have enough then you can get all sorts of personalized help which helps you retain your autonomy.

In the absence of sufficient money, many of my friends worry that they would have to move to a less favoured town or less desirable location and that they would be less able to participate in social events that might cost money. And that without adequate funds they would not be able to access sufficient help to "stay independent".

2. Physical Health

Physical Health is clearly one of the primary causes of loss of independence. Becoming dependent could be from a number of reasons, the first is falling.

· Falling

My friends and I are not afraid of falling. It is not the fall itself that matters so much, but rather the consequences. A fall could result in a broken hip, which often leads directly to greatly reduced mobility if not worse outcomes. Or hitting one's head, which also can lead to grave consequences.

Falling is prevalent among my age group so an industry has arisen to warn people of the consequences and try to help prevent them, from falling. Our workshop on Preventing falling is one of the most popular.

· Mobility

Lack of mobility, whether after a hip fracture or as a consequence of various other conditions, can be a significant barrier to independence. If you can't get where you want to go when you want to go there, that can be a major lifestyle limitation.

· Hearing and Vision

Poor vision and poor hearing could be major impediments to independence. When people have trouble seeing, they restrict their movements and their interactions with others. If they cannot hear and do not wear corrective devices, people will avoid conversations with them and over time will isolate them from social activity. This isolation may lead to a loss of autonomy and independence.

3. Mental Health (Dementia)

One of the most asked for workshops that COSCO Health and Wellness Institute gives is on memory. For many of my generations loss of cognitive ability and dementia came up frequently. Very few seniors under the age of 85 will have major problems with mental ability, it is still a very scary condition.