This chapter investigates the crucial distinction between independence and autonomy in the context of elderly care, suggesting that true autonomy lies in aligning a person’s life with their deepest values, even if it means relying on others. It challenges the common focus on safety as a primary goal, instead of advocating for care plans that uncover and support an older adult’s fundamental life principles over more transient desires and wishes. By understanding this difference, caregivers can move beyond merely satisfying immediate wants to facilitate a more profound and meaningful expression of an older person’s selfhood.