This paper explores the ethical framework guiding professionals in the field of gerontology, drawing on Holstein, Parks, and Waymack's Ethics, Aging, and Society. The author examines how principles such as doing no harm, respecting autonomy, and honoring family and patient wishes shape professional practice. The paper addresses the complexities introduced by cognitive decline — particularly Alzheimer's disease — and argues that both feminist and masculinist modes of ethical thought must inform care decisions. It also outlines the professional's educational, counseling, research, and advocacy roles in helping older adults and their families navigate care options, institutional placement, and legal rights.
When choosing a profession upon leaving school, there are several important factors to keep in mind. Personality, aptitude, and personal likes and dislikes should all be taken into account. Those who choose a profession focused on the field of aging generally do so out of a desire to care for others in a way that improves the quality of their lived experience. For me, entering this profession means adhering to a very specific set of ethics. These include the drive to provide care in a way that causes no harm, optimizes the quality of life that the recipient of care may expect, and ensures that the wishes of both the family and the recipient of care are honored — insofar as those wishes do not conflict with the requirement of doing no harm.
One important factor to keep in mind when considering the ethics related to gerontology is the nature of old age and the effect it can have on the decision-making process. According to Holstein, Parks, and Waymack (2011, p. 3), new directions in gerontological thought acknowledge that there may be more dimensions to thinking about old age and autonomy than might have initially been supposed. According to the authors, masculinist thinking in the past has focused on ensuring the autonomy of older people in making decisions about the care they receive towards the end of their lives. On the other hand, diseases such as Alzheimer's — commonly associated with old age — may lead to impaired judgment, which requires third parties to make decisions on behalf of the impaired person. This acknowledgement reflects feminist-type thinking, in which dominance and autonomy are not necessarily the only effective paradigms for graceful or happy old age.
As a professional in the field of aging, it is my obligation to be aware of these modes of thought. In other words, I need to be a critical thinker in order to ensure that as little harm as possible comes to those in my care. I must acknowledge that there is more than one way to view a situation and that each situation has its own merits and challenges. When, for example, I am faced with a case in which an elderly person is still in possession of his or her faculties, is able to care for him- or herself to a reasonable degree, and wishes to remain living at home, I would agree that this is probably the course of least harm.
However, there appears to be a general societal drive to keep older people living independently for as long as possible before entering them into care facilities. While this may make financial sense, it is not always sound from a gerontological care perspective that requires professionals to follow the course of least harm. Autonomy is not always possible. For persons who can no longer function autonomously, family members or caregivers should be obliged to make least-harm decisions on their behalf. Where a family, for example, can no longer adequately care for an elderly relative with Alzheimer's disease, it is probably best to place that person in an institution where he or she can receive appropriate care.
"Informing families and older adults about care options"
"Inspections and dignity standards in residential care settings"
"Assistive technology, research, and rights-based advocacy roles"
Old age is a reality we face as individuals, as families, and as a society. Professionals in the field are ethically obliged to make the journey into old age as smooth and pleasant as possible. This can be accomplished by adhering to the no-harm principle, fulfilling an educational and counseling role, and ensuring that all decisions are sound and well-informed.
You’re 56% through this paper. Sign up to read the remaining 3 sections.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.