NCJ Number
159152
Journal
Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect Volume: 7 Issue: 2/3 Dated: special issue (1995) Pages: 19-30
Date Published
1995
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Three case studies of the life conditions of elderly persons pose ethical issues and dilemmas for the treatment of elderly persons in need as well as the persons involved in their situations.
Abstract
The three cases were created from a variety of actual situations to illustrate the range and complexity of ethical issues that professionals encounter in elder mistreatment. The case studies illustrate the problems of physical and mental disability, relational loss, and mistreatment in institutional settings. Elements of self-neglect as well as neglect and abuse by others are contained in the cases, and intentional and unintentional mistreatment are portrayed. The first case shows that ethical decisions involve not only the need to offer supportive services to needy elderly persons, but also involve consideration of their individual rights to make choices, the neighbors' right to live in a safe environment, and the sons' right to their own pursuits. Ethical decisions in the second case involve more than the requirement that professionals offer supportive services after a stroke; it includes assessing the client's ability to make reasonable decisions. In the third case, spouse abuse, institutional abuse, and self-abuse present the challenging dilemma of whose rights take precedence under the commitment to provide services to the elderly and respect the rights of all who are caught up in the needs of the elderly.