Older Adults Living AtRisk: Ethical dilemmas, Risk, Assessment and Interventions to Facilitate Autonomy and Safety

Authors

  • Rhiannon Berke Was a student at Faculty of Nursing, Athabasca University, Athabasca, Alberta

Abstract

 

OLDER ADULTS LIVING AT RISK:  ETHICAL DILEMMAS, RISK, ASSESSMENT AND   INTERVENTIONS TO FACILITATE AUTONOMY AND  SAFETY

 By: Rhiannon Berke, RN, BN rhiannon.berke@albertahealthservices.ca

Faculty of Nursing, Athabasca University, 1 University Drive Athabasca, AB, T9S 3A3, Canada

                                                 ABSTRACT

Older adults (seniors) living at risk are usually identified as adults aged 60 years and older, who are living at home despite having economic, social or physical barriers that affect their overall independence, well-being and quality of life. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview for nurses and related caregivers of the ethical dilemmas, risk assessment and interventions to facilitate autonomy and safety for this population.  Supporting seniors that choose to live at risk is a complex process and represents an ethical dilemma between respecting individual autonomy versus protecting them from harm.  Seniors who decide to live at risk are at times questioned, and may require competency and physical assessments to gauge whether there is a clear understanding and appreciation of the consequences of their choices.  Interventions and approaches to promote ageing in place safely are described, including the value of the Managed Risk Agreements tool, the role of technology and supportive services.  The positive outcomes of the current interventions and approaches discussed reinforce the need for further research in this area of risk management.

Keywords: ageing in place, older adults (seniors), living at risk management, competency

 

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Published

2014-08-08

Issue

Vol. 1 (2014)

Section

Articles

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