Health & Fitness
Ethics Training for Those Who Work With the Elderly
Eldercare workers face unique challenges in meeting the needs of the elderly. An upcoming class will equip them to handle the ethical dilemmas that arise.
Caregivers, nurses, social workers and other professionals who serve the elderly often are faced with delicate ethical choices. A standard of care in nursing, for instance, is to involve a client in making decisions about their treatment options. How exactly does a health professional do this when a patient is entering the early stages of dementia?
What about the social worker who is contending with a client who hoards possessions to the point of endangering themselves or others? How do you know when to step in and intervene, without taking away the rights of an adult to act and decide for themselves? At what point can you require counseling or treatment?
Another common dilemma faced by professionals is the impaired senior whose family wants to countermand their loved one's written advance directive or living will. Or, the opposite, when the family has to make decisions on behalf of a patient who neglected to leave written instructions.
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An upcoming continuing education class will offer training to eldercare, social work and nursing professionals on how to successfully navigate these and other thorny issues.
The class "Ethical Dilemmas In Working With Older Adults," will be held 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on April 26. It will be taught by Jennifer FitzPatrick. Three continuing education unit credits are available for social workers and nurses.
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The class is free and sponsored by Ingleside at King Farm, a continuing care retirement community. It will be held at Ingleside at King Farm, at 701 King Farm Blvd., in Rockville. Space is limited. Please call Steve Lahn at 240-499-9036.
About the Speaker
Jennifer FitzPatrick, MSW, LCSW-C has over 22 years’ experience in healthcare and is the Founder of Jenerations Health Education, Inc.
Jennifer has served as an adjunct instructor at Johns Hopkins University, Towson University and Howard Community College. The author of numerous articles on aging and senior care, Jennifer is currently working on her first book about senior healthcare.
Kimberly Hartke of AllHealth PR is the publicist for Ingleside at King Farm.
