Week 12: Common Legal And Ethical Issues Flashcards
Informed consent is only possible with
The assumption that adults have decision-making capacity.
Power of Attorney
Legally appointed to act on behalf of another in ways specifically indicated in a legal document.
Health Care Proxy
Authority to act on a person’s behalf when he or she has lost the capacity to make decision and has not documented what he or she wants.
Guardians and Conservators
Individual, agencies, or corporations appointed to take care, custody, and control of an incapacitated person and assure needs are met
Types of abuse of older adults
- Physical
- Sexual
- Psychological
- Medical
- Financial or material exploitation
- Discrimination
- Abandonment
Elder Mistreatment: Undue Influence
- A means of financial or material exploitation.
- May occur in an insidious way if the perpetrator isolates the victim from family and friends.
- If a person provides false affection and even marriage to a lonely person for the purpose of defrauding him or her of assets.
What are the impacts of elder abuse?
- Posttraumatic Syndrome
- Lowered self-efficacy
- Higher risk for death
- Have more health problems, including bone or joint problems, digestive problems, depression or anxiety, chronic pain, HTN and cardiovascular disease.
Neglect by Caregiver
Requires a socially (formal/informal) recognized role and responsibility of one to provide care to a vulnerable elder.
Self-neglect
People fail to meet their own basic needs in the manner in which the average person would in similar circumstances.
Nursing Responsibility in Regards to Older adult legal implications
-Do not attempt to provide legal advice but instead refer to an elder law attorney.
Nurses advocate function in various arenas:
- With their own discipline and other disciplines within their own agencies.
- With other agencies, with physicians, with families.
- With neighbors and community representatives.
- Professional organizations, legislators, and the courts.
