What Does Independence As You Age Mean to You?

As we celebrate Independence Day this month, we asked members of the Kimbrough Law team a simple question:

"What does independence as you age mean to you?"

Their answers remind us that independence can look different for everyone, but it often comes down to having choices, maintaining dignity, and living life on your own terms.

Robin Lacrimosa, Life Care Coordinator

Just because someone is older doesn’t mean they don’t get to make their own decisions. Even really bad decisions. If they are competent, that is their choice!

Hailey Brock, Attorney and Owner

To me, independence means having the freedom to live authentically, being true to yourself. This means making your own decisions, pursuing what matters to you, and staying connected to the people and activities you love. Independence is about preserving dignity, choice, autonomy, and quality of life at every stage.

Warnie Riley, Outreach Coordinator

Many people discover that independence is not isolation. It’s being able to choose connection, work, family, hobbies, service, travel, or solitude because all those things enrich my life, not because I feel obligated.

Elise Blackburn, Firm Administrator

Simply put, it means freedom. It means having the autonomy to do and go and make my own decisions for as long as possible. In fact, as we are getting a little older, my husband and I decided that 2026 is our year to regain our health. The reason for this isn’t solely to be around longer for our kids, but also so that we can maintain the lifestyle that we enjoy after our kids are grown. We want to still be traveling and enjoying life together long after retirement age rather than depending on someone else to take care of us. While none of us know our future, it is important to me to prepare as much as I can now, so that I can maintain my own volition for as long as I can.

Tabetha Clark, Paralegal

Since working for Kimbrough Law, I have learned that independence doesn’t wither as quickly as the body does as we age. The better prepared you are in the future, the easier your independence is to maintain.