Ethical Health Care Issues Research Paper

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Ethical Health Care Issues Paper The elderly population, individuals aged 65 years, and older in the United States anticipated to increase in numbers from approximately million today to more than 70 million by 2030. This anticipated rapid growth in the census increases of elder individuals, presents challenges for family, loved ones, and society to meet effects of age-related changes, acute, and chronic disease processes (Plassman, 2008). Dementia, a disease more prevalent in elderly individuals manifest with a decline in memory, and cognitive impairments leading to lose of independent functioning with wide-ranging effects on the individual, families, loved ones, and the health care system. According to Plassman,…show more content…
The ethical principle of autonomy describes an individual with a capacity to make decisions regarding aspects of his, or her life without the influence of others (Morrison, 2011). Dementia a progressive disease process, and degenerative in disrupting normal brain function of an individual, and results in ongoing mental confusion, to memory loss, personality change, and loss of functionality to perform daily tasks (Plassman,…show more content…
Maintaining quality life with respect, dignity, and free from injury, and harm right of all individuals (Morrison, 2011) . Elderly with Dementia have limited capacity, or cognitively impaired to recognize, verbalize activities, judgments harmful to themselves, or from others in the course of daily living. This state of diminished capacity effects decision-making related to financial, medical, or social needs with potential for adverse outcomes to his, or her person, and state of well-being. In meeting the health care needs of elders with dementia the health care professional duty to do no harm includes medical treatments, procedures, and medication management. In addition to provide guidance, assistance for the individual, loved ones, and proxy as indicated to maintain, or attain optimal level of functioning, and safety in his, or her environment.
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