Question

When working in an aged care facility it is important to be aware of the legal and ethical considerations and possible assessment tools relevant to the older person. For each area below, define and determine the legal aspects surrounding both the legislation or assessment tool and its relevance to the aged care sector (in 40-60 words each). 13.1) Advance care directives

Answer 1

legal and ethical considerations relevant to older person:

1. consent- 3 types of consent : nonverbal, verbal and written consent.

health care worker must take consent from the patient before any procedure or treatment initiation.

2. Restraints- health care centers require a doctors order for restraints. the doctor must assess the patient for what type of restraint is to be used. if a patient is restrained unlawfully and without consent there could be a claim of false imprisonment.

3. Assualt and battery- is the unlawful touching of a patient without consent.

4. Duty of care- is a legal obligation imposed on a person requiring adherence to a standard of reasonable care while performing tasks that could cause harm.

5. Negligence- is a civil action that can be taken by a patient or patients family againsthealth care workers if a patient is injured while in their care.

6. Documentation- is an essential part of patient care from admission to discharge although these documents are not legal, they can be used in court under the rules of evidence. all documentation must have a date, time of entry, the writing must be legible. the patients name , DOB and numericals must be on all documentation.

7. Coroner- is a magistrate who has a legal background. the role of the coroner is identifying the deceased and to hold a public hearing into reportable deaths.

Assessment tool relevant to oldage:

1. Medical assessment

falls, gait disturbance, hearing impaiment, visual impairment, urinary incontinence, malnutrition, weight loss.

2. Functional assessment tools

3. Congnitive assessment tools

4. Pshychological assessment tools

5. social assessment

6. Economic assessment

7. Spiritual assessment

Advance care directive:

is an advance decision in a legal document in which a individual specifices what actions should be taken for their health if they are no longer able to take decisions for themselves because of illness.