Ethical and Social Issues in Dementia Care

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Frances Bottenberg, Lecturer (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: It is often assumed that “ethics” refers to a pre-established and settled set of professional guidelines or even a “philosophy of life” that outlines a list of values to live by. In fact, ethics refers just as much to the challenging work of thinking about, and with, those sets of guidelines and values. After all, ethical principles don’t just appear in the world—they are the result of people talking about them, refining them, and then codifying them. More than that, every situation we encounter requires us to weigh different ethical principles as we decide what to do. This applies especially in situations where ethical dilemmas are present— situations where we must choose among imperfect options, there being no obvious “win-win” solution. In working with people with dementia, this process of ethical deliberation can become very challenging indeed, given the many personal, social, and logistical variables in play. In this chapter, we will examine some key ethical and social challenges that arise in the context of dementia diagnosis, care support, and social integration. To clarify these challenges, the chapter introduces readers to relevant concepts and frameworks in bioethics and suggests how to work through these challenges using ethical analysis.

Additional Information

Publication
Introduction to Aging, Memory and Dementia for Healthcare and Human Service Professionals
Language: English
Date: 2022
Keywords
healthcare, ethics, ethical care, dementia, bioethics

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