Ethical Practices with Older Adults, 2nd edition

Course overview

About the Course Many issues behavioral health practitioners face in working with an increasing aging population are related to advances in medical technologies that have occurred over the past several decades (and that continue to be developed) and have led to increasingly complex choices. The course will provide background on ethical frameworks and principles used in healthcare settings for guidance in resolving ethical problems. This course will also identify major ethical issues concerning older adults and healthcare decisions and provide a model for addressing ethical dilemmas in healthcare settings. This basic-level course is written for healthcare professionals, including social workers, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, respiratory therapists, and occupational and physical therapy practitioners. Other healthcare professionals who work with older adults and on interdisciplinary teams will also find the information presented useful to their practice. Learning Outcomes Identify frameworks and principles commonly used in healthcare settings for resolving ethical problems. Recognize the steps used in resolving ethical dilemmas. Distinguish between capacity and competence. Describe the concept of advance care planning. Identify the hierarchy used in surrogate decision making. Recognize ethical concerns that commonly arise related to the use of medical technologies.