We have all heard horror stories of elder abuse, and we all want to fix things. That’s what nurses do. But it’s important to remember that adults have autonomy and agency. People need to choose their own paths, and they do so for their own reasons. Discuss the case study and answer the questions on the page. Each person should add a short reflection on what they learned, how they might use the information, and how it made them feel.
- Keep the focus of the discussion back to the three guiding principles of safety, respect, and self determination. Ask yourselves: What information or support could you offer to the older adult to help them make an informed decision?
- Stay focused on the facts presented in the case. Don’t jump to conclusions. It is not your role to “fix” the situation, but to think about how you could support the older adult to make their own informed decision.
- – here is a link for assignment
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Elder abuse is an important issue that needs to be addressed. As medical professionals, it is our responsibility to ensure the safety, respect, and self-determination of all individuals, especially older adults. In this assignment, we will be discussing a case study and focusing on how we can support the older adult to make their own informed decisions. We will also reflect on our learning and how we can use this information to improve our practice.
Answer:
The case study presents a scenario where an older adult has been recently widowed and is considering selling their home and moving to a retirement community. However, their adult children disagree with this decision and are pressuring the older adult to move in with one of them instead.
As medical professionals, our role is not to fix the situation but to support the older adult to make their own decision. We need to focus on the three guiding principles of safety, respect, and self-determination. We can offer the older adult information about the benefits and drawbacks of both options, such as the social interactions and activities provided by the retirement community versus the familiarity and comfort of living with family members. We can also provide resources to help them make an informed decision.
It is important to remember that the older adult has autonomy and agency, and we should respect their decision even if we disagree with it. We need to avoid jumping to conclusions and remain unbiased.
Reflection:
Reflecting on this case study made me realize the importance of respecting the autonomy and agency of older adults. As medical professionals, we need to ensure that their decisions are informed and supported. This assignment has taught me that it is not our role to fix situations but to provide resources and support for the individual to make their own decisions. I will use this learning to improve my practice and ensure that older adults receive the support they need to make informed decisions.
