ethical dilemma

Growing up in New York City during the Depression my 89 year old father does what most Depression survivors do. He saves rusty nails, old paint, pieces of lumber and Popular Mechanics magazines from 1965. I don’t have the heart to tell him engines don’t look like that anymore. His house has not been cleaned […]

A very active, healthy 80 year old woman is walking a trail one day when she trips and falls. She is rushed to the hospital where she is found to have a subdural hematoma. An evacuation of the hematoma (brain surgery) is recommended and completed but the patient is not doing well after the surgery. […]

Bocephus (“Bo”) is age 19, high IQ, clinically depressed and anxious (PTSD from a sexual abuse when he was 5) – he currently refuses talk or medication therapy although he received both thru age 12. His parents passed away 2 years ago and he is now living with his brother, Michael who is 15 years […]

Helen arrived for her appointment with Jane, the service coordinator of her senior community. Jane commented on bruises on Helen’s face and arm. Helen explained that she argued with her sister a few of days ago and the sister had hit her several times. Helen asked Jane to help her figure out how to change […]

69 year old w/s/f applies for the older adult waiver.  On time of evaluation she is ambulatory, diagnosed with arthritis, HTN and obesity (400 lbs).  She is able to do a sponge bath, dress herself and make a light meal.  Evaluation is completed and she is denied a medical level of care. Client appealed the […]

Elder Surveillance: Can Grandma Be Independent if Everyone is Watching? The discussion of ethical dilemmas is of interest to me, especially as it pertains to the use of technology to assist elders to remain “independent” so that they can “age in place”. This article provides an overview of the ethical considerations of home monitoring technology, […]