When organizing care for elderly patients, ethical aspects are of great importance. An attitude of a medical worker to such people and the observance of ethical and deontological rules and regulations during direct communication with them play the principal role in work with older people. Thus, providing care for the latter is more complicated than for patients of other age groups, because it requires the medical staff to observe certain ethical and deontological aspects that take more attention and time.
An essential principle of caring for such patients is respect for them, as well as tolerance of their physical and mental defects. Besides, the elderly may have an impaired memory. Often they remember well what happened many years ago, but cannot recollect what was the day before.When caring for older patients, it is necessary to be tactful and careful, patiently answer questions, which they can repeat many times, and to always remind of the time to take pills and pass procedures.
For sick, elderly patients, it is usually difficult to tolerate the stereotype associated with the change of usual life and adapt to the new environment. If there are no strict indications for hospitalization, it is desirable for them to be at home with family. Moreover, the elderly often suffer from loneliness and are afraid to stay alone because they are frightened by the possibility of sudden worsening of health. That is why, they eagerly wait for the arrival of a kind and attentive nurse or a doctor. Therefore, from the ethical perspective, it is very significant to provide them with an opportunity to speak with somebody to feel needed and safe.
Particularly, acute ethical and deontological issues arise when dealing with elderly patients who have lost the ability of self-service. When caring for such people, the health care worker should enhance the patient’s desire to keep maximum mobility as long as possible, showing support with all his or her behavior and actions. In any case, it is necessary to respect the dignity and sense of independence of older adults. The fact is that patient and balanced health care workers cope with elderly patients more successfully than the ones who are too harsh and imperious without compassion. They cannot manage such an activity. It is very easy for the elderly to understand and capture hypocrisy and insincerity in relations and care for them because of their life experience. A medical worker, who is not sympathetic, cannot listen and is concerned about his or her personal problems, will never receive trust and confidence of such patients.
It is significant for medical workers to pay particular attention to their appearance and the form of communication with older clients. Too trendy clothing, cosmetics and a jewelry surplus are not conducive when establishing contacts between older people and health care workers. Carelessness, restlessness, and talkativeness can also cause suspicions of the elderly patient and do not contribute to establishing trustful relationships that are necessary for both sides.
In conclusion, speaking of care for older people, a number of ethical aspects should be taken into account. Without doubt, such patients require a particular approach. It is necessary to be tolerant and patient towards older people and pay attention to peculiarities of their age and health. Moreover, moral support is the most valuable for elderly patients. The medical worker, who does not limit his or her activities to official services and manages to be a friendly and attentive companion, assistant and adviser will be of great help for an older person and will considerably contribute to the rapid recovery of the patient.
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Olivia works as an author and ahe is working on essay on banks now .Olivia likes to develop her skills in professional writing. She works on creative orders, often updating her knowledge in various fields. He spends his weekends with friends at thematic conferences and trainings. All customers are satisfied with such a profitable cooperation.
