By: Charissa Eaton, PhD, MSW – Professor at Winona State University
Handout – Ethical Dilemmas with Older Adults
Earn 1 CEU, pre-approved for Social Workers by BOSW; self-submit other disciplines
MGS is listed as a Continuing Education Resource by the MN Board of Nursing
Health and human service professionals often experience complex ethical dilemmas in the course of their practice with older adults and their families. This presentation explores the basic concepts of ethics in the context of interdisciplinary practice and the medical model. Some of the commonly occurring ethical dilemmas such as safety versus self-determination will be discussed. A framework will also be discussed as a tool utilized in making ethical decisions.
This session will cover the following objectives/questions:
- Examine the complexities of ethical dilemmas in health and human services including the impact of the interdisciplinary practice and the medical model on professionals working with older adults and families
- Critically analyze common ethical dilemmas in health care such as safety vs. self-determination
- Utilize a framework for making decisions about ethical dilemmas in health and human service settings.
Charissa Eaton, PhD, MSW is a Professor in the Social Work Department at Winona State University. Her research examines how healthcare professionals, especially social workers, assist older adults in making decisions about post-hospital care. In addition to teaching and research, Charissa is active with the Minnesota Gerontological Society and participates on the Elder Network Winona County Advisory Board. Charissa’s social work practice experience focused on working with older adults via geriatric case management and medical social work.
Related Research:
“Everyday Ethics” in the Care of Hospitalized Older Adults
by Jennifer B. Seaman, BSN, RN* and Judith A. Erlen, PhD, RN, FAAN
Social Workers, Nurses or Both – Who is primarily responsible for hospital discharge planning with older adults by: Charissa Eaton, PhD