When "financial independence" doesn't mean "financial independence"

Take a look at the New York Times article More Americans Rejecting Marriage in 50s and Beyond which deals with the subject of how the divorce rate in the baby boomer population has gone up over 50% in the past twenty years. What does the article claim?

Women, who are increasingly financially independent, are more willing and able to go it alone

Where's the problem?

The elderly, who have traditionally relied on spouses for their care, will increasingly struggle to fend for themselves. And federal and local governments will have to shoulder much of the cost of their care. Unmarried baby boomers are five times more likely to live in poverty than their married counterparts, statistics show. They are also three times as likely to receive food stamps, public assistance or disability payments.

Seems like there's a bit of a logical disconnect there. Living on the government dole != financial independence.