Geriatric Mental Health Ethics

Annotation

"The book's genuine value is that it provides the reader with a solid foundation in ethical competence. The ten-step ethical decision-making model described is a clear, structured roadmap to aid in the resolution of common ethical problemsO.A welcome resource to all geriatric mental health students, practitioners, and educators." --From the Afterword by Frank A. Cervo, MD, Long Island State Veterans Home, Stony Brook University School of Medicine Detailed case studies will guide practitioners through Bush's "Four A's" of ethical decision-making:Anticipating and preparing for ethical issues commonly encountered in specific contextsAvoiding ethical misconductAddressing ethical challenges with specific strategies and goalsAspiring to even higher standards of ethical decision making and practiceMaking informed, ethical decisions and choosing the right course of action with elderly patients can prove difficult for mental health practitioners. This is especially true when patients suffer from Alzheimer's disease or other disorders that impair their own decision-making abilities. When confronting dilemmas concerning privacy, informed consent, and patient autonomy, use of an ethical decision-making model is essential. In this book, Bush not only presents this practical, 10-step model, but through a diverse collection of case studies, also demonstrates how it can be implemented across numerous therapeutic settings. Nursing, social work, counseling, and psychiatry are only four of the many settings discussed. In essence, the author offers a truly unique, interdisciplinary approach to ethical decision-making in geriatric mental health care.