Caring for an elderly person can be difficult. There are a number of factors to keep in mind to make sure you provide care in a moral and ethical fashion.
Paternalism
Caring for an elderly person who cannot take care of himself can be very challenging. In many ways, it may be like to caring for a baby. However, it is important to avoid paternalism. Paternalism is treating individuals as if they cannot make decisions for themselves. While this may be the case, depending on the circumstances, caregivers must always encourage elderly individuals to be as involved as possible with decisions that affect them.
Long-Term Care
Elderly individuals who cannot engage in day-to-day activities such as cooking, bathing and eating may need dedicated long-term care. This may take place in a private residence or a nursing home. It is important to pay close attention to where the patient would like to live.
Support for elderly individuals who live alone include informal services such as meals-on-wheels and formal services such as visiting nurses.
End of Life
End of life decisions are some of the most difficult a person can make. Again, it is the wishes of the elderly person to which you must give priority. The person may have a living will, which dictates how she would like to end her life. If this is unknown, and the patient is unable to speak for herself, physicians and family members should try to determine what the patient would have expressed and take the required steps.
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