TAPIRU JANELLE H

BSN III NEUMAN

Implications of Demographics of Aging.

a. Health Care Cost of Aging

 Although aging and population increase both play a role in rising health-care costs, the
relative contribution of these factors decreases between 1970 and 1990. and the
downward trend is expected to continue through 2005. According to research, the
relative cost of treating individuals aged 65 and up increased at a faster rate than the
cost of treating other patients. This means that between 1990 and 2005, regardless of
whether these trends continue, the proportion contribution of aging and demography
will likely decrease.

b. ethical and Legal issues affecting older adults

LEGAL ISSUES

 ACT OF NEGLEGIENCE, MALPRACTICE AND OMISSION

 It is the failure to exercise adequate care. It is the failure of a professional to
provide proper care to another individual. The rights of the elderly are abused
when the family does not give them adequate care and attention.
 INVASION OF PRIVACY
 Violation of a persons right to be left alone or to enjoy reasonable
noninterference with his/her life.
 ELDER ABUSE AND NEGLECT
 Elder abuse is described as a single or recurrent act, or a failure to act
appropriately, that causes injury or distress to an older person in any
relationship where trust is expected.
 TYPES
 PHYSICAL ABUSE- action that causes physical pain or injury
 PSYCHOLOGICAL/EMOTIONAL – infliction of mental anguish
 FINANCIAL/ MATERIAL ABUSE- Illegal or improper exploitation or use of
funds and resources
 SEXUAL- non consensual contact of any kind with an older person.
 ABANDONMENT
 It occurs when the person in charge of the older person's care abandons him
or her physically, emotionally, and financially.

ETHICAL ISSUES

 DO NOT RESUSCITATE ORDERS

 DNR are legal and binding but must be justified as client
Request or medically indicated. The supporting documentation must include
client current condition, prognosis, summary of decision making and who was
involved.
  WITHHOLDING AND WITHDRAWING TREATMENT
 Includes action relate to clients right to refuse treatment or withdraw consent
for it.
 ASSISTED SUICIDE AND EUTHANASIA
 Grave decision and certainly do not provide medication to hasten death in a
patient. Ensure that the older person has complete information when ask to
make decision regarding health care
 INFORMED CONSENT
 The older adults and care givers have the right to all information available or
arranging for court appointment.
 ENTERAL FEEDING
 It is acceptable to withhold treatment such as IV fluids, antibiotics on request
of the appropriate proxy decision maker when life prolongation is longer the
appropriate goal

c. Discuss Advance Directives

 Many people will lose their ability to make medical decisions or convey what they
want from their healthcare at some point in their life, mainly due to illness. Advance
directives are legal agreements that allow you to spell out your healthcare wishes
ahead of time so that you can continue to receive the care you desire while avoiding
treatments you don't want (also known as advance care plans). Someone will have to
make decisions for you if you lose your ability to make them. A surrogate is the person
you choose to make those decisions for you. Any wishes you discussed with your
surrogate while you were still capable of making decisions should be honored. Their
job is to make the decisions you would make if you were still able to make them
yourself. That is why it is critical to create an advance directive by considering your
priorities, discussing them with a surrogate, and writing them down in a legal
document.