This document discusses promoting independence for older people. It defines independence as being able to architect one's own life and looks at common obstacles like health, mobility, and low expectations. The biggest barrier is low expectations from customers, family, professionals and society that independence is inevitable to lose as one ages. The document uses the examples of Shelly and Frank to show individual stories and get feedback on maintaining independence.

1. Promoting
Independence – how
do we do it?
Joanne Appleby
Bridget Strong
Debbie Price
Age UK Sheffield

2. What does
independence mean
to you?

3. Architect of our own life
• We are not in the business of looking after older people;
rather we are in the business of helping them look after
themselves.
• We do this by looking at the whole picture of our customer’s
life and supporting them in overcoming the factors that
threaten their independence and minimising the obstacles
they face in order to hope them regain and retain their
independence.

4. Obstacles to
independence

5. Obstacles to independence
As we get older many things contrive to threaten our
independence;
• Health
• Mobility
• Confidence
• Bereavement
• Those providing support; family, friends,
• Services
• Concern about risk
• Sometimes it feels too difficult
But one of the biggest barriers is…

6. Low expectations and
aspirations
• Customers
• Family members
• Professionals
• Society
• Common belief that as we get older loss of independence and
decreased quality of life is inevitable.
• Not knowing what is possible.

7. Shelly and Frank
• What is your immediate reaction to Shelly and Frank’s stories?
• Where
• Group 1; Shelly
• Group 2; Shelly
• Group 3; Frank
• Group 4; Frank
Feedback from each group

8. Meet Shelly herself
• Show the film