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
May Events
Food Services is planning a special Mother’s Day on May 10th
Update on Mealtimes at HVH Resident Council has voted in unanimous favor during the March meeting to move the larger meal from lunch time to supper time. This was implemented and residents are enjoying the change based on the majority of feedback collected so far. Special holiday meals will be scheduled for lunches as specified. ~ Food Services Team
Our annual Painted Lady Butterfly project will commence again this spring. We anticipate receiving our Painted Lady caterpillars during the last week of May. We will watch their transition from caterpillars to butterflies, and then release them into the garden park in early June. Stay tuned for details!
As a Resident of Harbour View Haven; 2. “You have the right to be involved in decisions about your care.” Residents may give or refuse consent for treatment, including medication, in accordance with law, and must be informed of the consequences of giving or refusing consent.