Identify ways to facilitate the independence of older adults.

Identification should include

  • housing or home modification
  • retraining and employment
  • educational and recreational activities
  • interaction across family generations (multigenerational)
  • socialization activities (including volunteering), especially for those without a social network
  • health care
  • transportation
  • financial planning
  • nutritional planning.

Process/Skill Questions: 

Thinking

  • How might one give an older adult the opportunity to make decisions for themselves?
  • What are the benefits to an older adult when they maintain independence?

Communication

  • In what ways might a human services professional help an older adult retain independence?
  • How can one help create more volunteer opportunities for older adults in the community?

Leadership

  • What are appropriate ways to make human services referrals?

Management

  • What retraining and employment options are available for older adults?
  • Why is home modification often preferable to moving a client to an assisted living facility?