A comparative study of elderly persons and health care professionals in regard to making long term care decisions for a marginally incompetent person living alone
Date
2018-11-08
Authors
MacCourt, Penny Lois Jean
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The focus of this research was a comparison of the values of elderly people and health care professionals (HCPs) that underlay the care decisions they made for a hypothetical marginally incompetent elderly person living alone.
Frequently individuals come to the attention of health care professionals when they appear to be living “at risk” but do not want care. In the absence of clear roles and responsibilities the decisions made on these persons' behalf could reflect the professional's values. In that health care professionals are younger, and their practice is driven by discipline specific values and the values of the agencies employing them, it seems unlikely they would make decisions congruent with those of elderly people. Instead it was hypothesised that the values of elderly people would be more likely to reflect the values and perspectives of other elderly people.
A between group design was used to compare a group of elderly people (N = 82) with a group of health care professionals (N = 87). The sample was one of convenience, and a questionnaire was used to gather the data. A scenario was provided to participants concerning an elderly woman living alone “at risk”. They were asked to assess her safety and to make health care decisions for her, under varied conditions. The responses were compared between the groups and examined to determine what values were reflected.
There were similarities and differences in the care decisions of elderly participants and HCPs, and the values that underlay them. Elderly participants and HCPs appraised the hypothetical elderly person's safety similarly, but elderly participants were more likely to suggest facility care for her, demonstrating paternalism. None of the participants demonstrated autonomy, most acted beneficently. Elderly participants, as opposed to HCPs, felt more influenced by the hypothetical elderly person's burdened children but did not make care decisions based on this. Elderly participants were more likely than HCPs to demonstrate paternalism if the hypothetical elderly person refused the care they originally suggested. Together the findings indicate that HCPs do not make the same care decision for a marginally incompetent elder that elderly persons do, and their decisions are based on different values.
Description
Keywords
Older people, Health and hygiene, Long-term care