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
February Events
February is African Heritage Month
Food Services is planning the following special meals
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES at HVH
Through a combination of staff, volunteer and community efforts, our programs are designed to offer residents a broad range of group and individual opportunities to enhance their physical, emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual quality of life. We are thankful to our dedicated volunteers who support our programming throughout the year. Check out our video “Celebrating Therapeutic Recreation Month”—February 2026 highlighting programming over the past year on our website at www.hvh.ca and our Facebook Site !
HVH Programming Highlights Pictures
Christmas Dinner 2025
Volunteers Needed..
Low Scents Makes Good Christmas Sense