Empowering Elders to Achieve Autonomy

 “To accomplish something extraordinary, one must have an extraordinary dream.
A goal so high, a journey so demanding, that its achievement seems impossible.”
—NASA 

We looked for an inspiring purpose that would let us improve humanity by helping others. This led us to create the LULI platform, with the objective of empowering older adults to achieve autonomy and live fulfilling lives on their own terms. By helping them remain independent, we protect the rights and voices that too often disappear when people enter certain institutions and become forgotten.

 We base our search on enduring paradigms that will remain relevant for the next 10 to 20 years. As time passes, the population of older adults will continue to grow; people will always value autonomy and independence; older adults will strive to maintain their freedom even as they experience physical and cognitive changes; and families and society will seek more affordable, cost-effective solutions while older adults increasingly desire an improved lifestyle filled with fulfillment. 

Our first quest was to find our “why”: Why is it important to empower older adults to live on their own terms, and how does this effort contribute to improving humanity?

Below are some additional questions arising from personal, social, economic, and ethical perspectives.

 Is caring for the rights and well-being of older adults an expression of our love for humanity and a meaningful purpose in life?

How does supporting elder autonomy deepen our own sense of personal fulfillment?

How does honoring an older adult’s choice about where and how they live uphold their dignity and reflect our dedication to every human being’s worth and rights?

What happens to an older adult’s self-esteem when we fail to recognize their autonomy, and how might this affect our empathy and sense of responsibility, and they are destiny to live in institutions where they lose their rights and are forgotten. 

Is it worthwhile to invest time and resources in elder empowerment, seeing it as part of our broader commitment to helping humanity?

Why should older adults have a real choice in their living arrangements, and how does this demonstrate collective care and compassion for all human beings?

Why is it important for society to protect older adults’ living conditions as part of our responsibility to each other?

How does living in a familiar environment support an older adult’s mental health and emotional well-being, and how does this strengthen our mutual bonds of kindness?

What role does respecting personal choice play in reducing stress, loneliness, or depression among older adults, and how can we foster deeper human connection?

How can helping elders remain in their communities foster stronger relationships and reduce isolation?

How do declining birth rates and increasing life expectancy reshape our communities? What challenges and opportunities arise from a growing number of older adults, especially when there are fewer younger people to rely on, and how can we respond?

In what ways does keeping older adults active in their communities benefit both them and society as a whole?

Why is it worthwhile to invest in seniors’ autonomy as part of our broader economic commitments?

How might enabling older adults to live at home lessen financial or resource pressures on healthcare systems, families, and communities?

Given the elevated caregiving costs and economic difficulty of managing multiple caregivers, How could lowering living costs make genuine autonomy accessible to more older adults? 

How does protecting an older adult’s independence reflect or shape our values?

Could emphasizing elder autonomy serve as a guiding principle that resonates with both personal ideals and our collective aspiration to help humanity thrive?