National Health Ethics Week! April 1-7
NEWSLETTER
NEWSLETTER
Submitted by Nikki O’Melia— Ethics Committee Chairperson
Ethics can be thought of as the morals or principles that regulate a person’s (or group’s) behaviours. When you look at how we act in a situation of conflict or uncertainty and how we deal with what is good and what is bad – these are all related to ethics.
There are 4 cornerstones when looking at ethics:
- Autonomy – people have the right to make their own choices
- Beneficence – actions that promote good and prevent harm
- Non-maleficence – actions that do the least harm to the least number of people
- Justice - actions that are fair to everyone involved
This year the focus during Ethics Week will be Autonomy – A Person’s Right to Choose!
We need to remember, no matter how hard it may be for us or how much we may disagree with someone’s choice, it is their choice and their right to make that choice.
In LTC some examples of this are Advanced Directives, Nutrition and Hydration, Medications, End of Life etc.
Food for thought …
- Paul (77 yrs old) is a newly admitted resident who has capacity and still makes his own decisions. His medical information states he has dysphagia and a recent Modified Barium Swallow shows he is expe-riencing aspiration. His recommended diet is minced with thickened fluids.
- Paul does not wish to be on a modified diet and states he under-stands the risks associated but will continue to eat a regular diet with regular fluids.
- Staff are concerned he will choke or get aspiration pneumonia and become very ill.
Ethics Framework at HVH… what is an ethics framework?
An Ethics Framework is a tool developed to provide guidance and direction when the facility is assessing and considering various situations. A framework can:
- To provide the highest possible ethical standards
- Enables fair and consistent behaviour and decision making for ethical circumstances
- To provide ethical support and decision-making tools
Hilltop Highlights and Events
National Volunteer Appreciation Week
HVH Programming Highlights Pictures
Notice of Mock Disaster
Upcoming Special Meals
As a Resident of Harbour View Haven; 7. “You have the right to receive opportunities for rehabilitation of functional abilities and assistance towards independence, consistent with your individual requirements.” Residents have access to regular services of health care professionals that can assist in areas of rehabilitation or
Mealtimes at HVH At our last Resident Council meeting, it was discussed and primarily opted for, flipping our bigger meal from noon to supper time. With providing a very large breakfast, followed by the large main meal for lunch, many residents are too full to consume that meal (which contains most of their daily calories and protein). Due to this, many are quite hungry by supper time when the lighter meal is served. With residents’ input, we are looking at moving our largest meal to supper time. Benefits of this include: Improved satiety throughout the evening Less hypoglycemia with morning blood sugars Increased likelihood of consuming the large, main meal The ability to sleep in & have a late breakfast, without compromising intake of the larger meal Stay tuned for results of our residents’ votes! ~ Food Services Team
April Events
Harbour View Haven extends a huge and heartfelt thank you to each and every one of our volunteers. Your continued dedication and support is greatly appreciated.
Family Council Meeting