Eldercare employees (73 women, 15 men) at rural and urban facilities in Australia responded to two open-ended questions related to perceptions of older adults. On average, employees assisted 62 adults per week, working at the facility for 19 years. Participants identified the following characteristics of an "independent older adult:" someone who cares for self, independent living, self-sufficiency, financially independent, mobility, physical health, good mental health and mental abilities, optimistic, positive personal characteristics, goal orientation, independent decision making, and good interpersonal relations. Participants also indicated that when an older adult becomes dependent on others the adult is unable to self-care and has physical and mental health problems. (Contains 2 tables.)