If and when you get to a point in life where you can no longer drive, would you be willing to leave your home for an assisted living situation, or would you insist on staying home and burdening others with helping you out?

I ask this as I see my mom’s neighbor who can’t drive but refuses to go to an alternative living situation. The lady is in her late 80’s, can no longer drive and lives in her own house. Family members, neighbors and friends are helping her shop and bringing her food. The question isn’t specifically about her as I can’t really speculate beyond what I see as I don’t know her.

It just got me thinking about elderly people who insist on living at home (in their own houses), despite no longer being able to drive. When they refuse to go to assisted living or nursing homes but at the same time are not able to shop for themselves, how practical is it for their friends or family members to have to shop for them and worry about them obtaining food? Is it wonderful that they’re independent and hanging on or is it selfish?