Question

Using 2 ethical principles please explain the following statement

"It is the responsibility of the individual, and their family, to ensure they age successfully and are well cared for"

Answer 1

Ans) 2 Ethical principles supporting this statement are:

1. BENEFICENCE

• Do right (“good”) by the patient.
• The physician’s main concern is the welfare of the patient.
• Do what is medically helpful.

2. NON-MALEFICENCE

• Avoiding harm.
• Implement effective non-hospital treatment when possible (due to complications that can arise during hospitalization of elderly patients).
• Withhold diagnostic work-up or treatment when intervention is unlikely to result in meaningful survival or patient well-being.

The statement says:

- Family provides care to elderly people.

- They assist and help in variety of physical task such as bathing, dressing, giving medication and feeding them.

- These are especially important for older adult with mental health history, disabilities and those residing in nursing home.

- There are certain health conditions that are expected to be a challenge to our health care system with the increasing aging population.

- These conditions include cancer, dementia, increase in the number of falls, obesity, and diabetes.

- Therefore, as age is challenging, they should be well cared also.