Questions We Can Help You To Answer

Paper instructions:

Caregivers
For this discussion, review several local programs being offered for communities or caregivers on Alzheimer's or other cognitive related disabilities for seniors.

Analyze the components of programs for cognitive-related disabilities for seniors:
Style of leadership (servant, transformational, laissez-faire, democratic, authoritarian
Type of Advocacy (professional, peer, group, self-empowerment)
Resources needed for successful resolution.
Interaction time with clients
What are the common concerns, components of the programs that need development and the resources used to gather information?
Determine the role of the care provider from the administrator to the nurse to the chaplain to the volunteer providing support.
How do these elements function together to provide necessary support for these individuals who may be experiencing massive cognitive changes or who are without cognitive decline?


(You must you at least two references from the readings to support your answer)


unit reading:
Cognitive Changes And Biological Aging
INTRODUCTION

Brain made out of circuits. © istockphoto.com Quote: 'There are cognitive processes and limbic reactions associated with basic emotions. And you can change brain chemistry, but you're still not going to change memories and experiences in a human being.' -Helen Fisher
The end stages of life give rise to many ethical questions. For example, when is it appropriate to terminate treatment or to ignore rehabilitation? What things do we consider when making this determination? Who makes the decision? There is a growing understanding that professionals must collaborate to move beyond the merely medical or scientific to encompass a holistic picture of an individual in the end stages of life as well as through the process of debilitating health that may occur throughout the later stages of life. In addition, one can see the importance of integrating the individual's primary support system in making decisions. Indeed, the individuals, families, and communities that support their aged and ill provide a substantial network of care that can feed into the professional care provided for the aging population.

Legal and ethical considerations for aging seniors may go beyond the typical concerns with which we identify. For example, there may be situations in which an individual's illness is of interest to researchers. Cognitive changes and the process of aging impacting neurobiological functioning are aspects of aging that must be purposefully considered when proposing support for anyone with cognitive debilitation. Recognizing the difference between an involved, receptive individual and being in a nonintegrative state (Siegel, 2012) is critical for researchers, care givers, support personnel and individuals relating to those with cognitive challenges. In addition to providing service, when conducting research on the aging, the participant must understand what is being asked of them. Therefore communication may be a challenge evolving into an ethical dilemma. A relationship of trust must be developed between the researcher and participant. Research methods must understandably be reliable and valid and focus on a wide variety of populations, encouraging diversified populations: for example, the sick, dying, culturally different, physically challenged, and mentally challenged as well as the wellderly who make up a small portion of this age group. The American Geriatrics Society provides guidelines to consider when working with this vulnerable group of individuals.


Questions abound about the quality of care and duration of treatment based on age and quality of life. Questions posed about cognitive abilities and the ability to contribute to society may place individuals in jeopardy of receiving the care they need. Has our greater education and service access for the poor, disenfranchised elderly changed through the incorporation of neurobiological concepts, or do attitudes still respond to bias and stereotypical learning? The Older Americans Act has initiated a focus on ethical care for seniors. Today, there are many organizations that serve the needs of seniors and provide legal, medical, psychological, and social support. Government policies may support seniors as we develop programs that cross the lifespan and provide a broad stroke of support.

While we consider the incorporation of biological, psychological, social, and environmental relationships that impact aging, we must always consider the individual's perception of the experience, cognitive abilities, and the ethical means we use to deliver any service, provide guidance, and support caregivers, family, and community.

The readings in this unit will help you to understand the perceptions of aging and ethical treatment identified in dealing with this population.