Ethics in Aged Care

Ethics

Ethics refers to standards of behavior that tell us how human beings ought to act in the many situations.

Ethics

Ethics are defined as moral principles that govern a person’s behaviour or the conducting of an activity.

Ethics

Ethical conduct is selecting the right action and rejecting the wrong ones.

Ethics

Ethics is not the same as feelings.

Ethics

Ethics is not religion.

Ethics

Ethics is not following the law.

Ethics

Ethics is not following culturally accepted norms.

Ethics

Ethics is not science.

Five sources of ethical standards

1. The Utilitarian Approach2. The Rights Approach3. The Fairness or Justice Approach4. The Common Good Approach5. The Virtue Approach

Five sources of ethical standards

The Utilitarian Approach - the right action produces the greatest balance of benefits over harms for everyone

affected.

Five sources of ethical standards

The Rights Approach – the individual's right to choose for herself or himself.

Five sources of ethical standards

The Fairness or Justice Approach - treat everyone in the same way and not show favouritism or discrimination.

Five sources of ethical standards

The Common Good Approach - view ourselves as members of the same community and so the right actions are for the common good.

Five sources of ethical standards

The Virtue Approach – act in ways to pursue our highest ideals e.g. honesty, courage, compassion, generosity, fidelity, integrity, fairness, self-control, and prudence.

Making ethical decisions

• Making good ethical decisions requires: • a trained sensitivity to ethical issues.• a practiced method for exploring the ethical

aspects of a decision.• weighing the considerations that should

impact our choice of a course of action.

• Always try to follow the ethical guidelines with all decisions and work that you do.

Framework for ethical decision

making

1. Recognise an ethical issue.

2. Get the facts.3. Evaluate alternative

actions.4. Make a decision and

test it.5. Act and reflect on the

outcome.

IHNA offers qualifications in aged care, disability and nursing. Go to http://www.ihna.edu.au to kick start your health career.

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