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Independent Living
- 2024-05-22
- Reading time: 8 min.
Table of Contents
Independent Living for Disabled Adults
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), millions of Americans aged 18 and over have a physical disability that limits their mobility.1 Living with a disability presents unique challenges that can impact an adult’s ability to maintain an independent lifestyle. For disabled adults, the journey towards independence may include daily hurdles that keep them from performing essential activities around the home most people take for granted.
That said, independent living for disabled adults offers numerous advantages, including enhanced freedom, socialization, and privacy. Thankfully, with the right mindset, support, and resources, achieving and maintaining independent living disability is possible when living with a disability.
Cons of Losing One’s Independence Due to a Disability
Being unable to lead an independent lifestyle can be a deeply emotional experience for disabled adults, many of whom already struggle with mental health issues.2 A loss of independence can negatively impact various aspects of a disabled individual’s life, including their physical, emotional, and social well-being.
Moving into a residential care facility or relying on outsiders for care and support often means relinquishing control over personal decisions and daily activities, causing frustration, helplessness, and diminished self-worth. Challenges like limited mobility and increased dependence can lead to social isolation, exacerbating negative feelings like loneliness, anxiety, and depression.
Furthermore, relying on others to complete personal care tasks and basic household chores may result in a loss of privacy and a sense of burden or guilt.3 Last but not least, the financial burden of living in a residential care facility can be overwhelming. According to data compiled by Genworth Financial, the median monthly cost of a private nursing home room in 2021 was $8,900.4