Reaching 60, 70, or 80 years old is not the end of the story. It is, in fact, the beginning of a decisive stage where a single choice can make the difference between living life to the fullest or resigning oneself to merely surviving. One of the most important questions at this stage is as simple as it is profound: with whom should an older person live?

For decades, the idea prevailed that the natural destiny of old age is to move into one’s children’s home. However, today we know that this decision, made without reflection or strategy, can seriously affect the emotional health, dignity, and autonomy of the aging individual. Currently, aging well does not mean dependence, but rather consciously designing one’s own well-being.

Autonomy: the foundation of healthy aging

As long as physical health and mental clarity exist, living in one’s own space is the greatest act of self-love. Maintaining autonomy is not synonymous with loneliness, but with freedom. Deciding what time to get up, what to eat, how to organize the house, and who to receive are not minor details: they are daily exercises that keep the body, mind, and sense of identity active.

Modern science confirms something many generations have intuited: performing everyday tasks such as cooking, organizing, managing expenses, and making decisions prevents cognitive decline. When others do everything for an older person, they not only relieve them of responsibilities but also of purpose.

If the current home is too large or difficult to maintain, the solution is not to move in with the children, but to adapt the space: a smaller apartment, a more comfortable home, but one of their own. Having one’s own space is a powerful emotional anchor.