Increasing Nursing Population Of Older Adults †Free Samples

Question: Discuss About The Increasing Nursing Population Of Older Adults? Answer: Introduction With the increasing population of older adults, there is an increasing prevalence of chronic disability. Many people lack the awareness on whom to communicate about the end of life care. In response to this situation, advance care planning and directives has been developed in Australia. The paper argues in favour of the use of Advance Care Planning (ACP) and discusses ethical dilemma related to it. Ethical dilemma is a situation where one cannot reach a solution in ethically acceptable fashion. Significance to Advanced Care Planning Directives ACP is the national program that assists individual with resources and health care information. With the help of the program, the individuals can make the health care decisions. The care providers can know the preferences, values and beliefs of the client through ACP and both together can plan for the future medical care. This program is based on the ethical principles including autonomy, beneficence and non-maleficence. On the other hand, the advance care directives or ACD is the written document that guides the future care of patients in the event they are not able to directly involve in decision-making. ACP should be used in Australia for it has many benefits (Mullick et al., 2013). According to randomised control trial by Detering et al. (2010) ACP and ACD improves the end of life care. It improves the quality of death as it considers the patients preferences and respects their wishes. Thus, ACP allows both patient and family satisfaction with care. The process reduces the likelihood of the patient to due in unwanted place or unwanted hospital admissions. It reduces the depression, stress and anxiety in the surviving relatives. Ethical dilemma may occur to patients and the care providers when there is no one to name as proxy or in case the family members may disagree with the patients wishes. Ethical dilemma in ACP and ACD can be avoided by considering previously mentioned wishes and preferences of patient even if currently losses the ability to be autonomous (Butler et al., 2014). The ACP and ACD is implemented in within Vcitorias current legal framework through the Medical Treatment Act 1988, TheGuardian and Administration Act 1986, ThePowers of Attorney Act2014 and TheCharter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006. The first ACT allows the person to accept or deny medical treatment as well as employ a substitute to make decision. Similarly, the second ACT allows the patients to appoint an enduring guardian to make decision on behalf of the patient. The third Act assist in new role of supportive attorney. This act consolidates power of making financial decisions related to treatment. For people mak ing power of attorney, the Act increases legislative protections. The last ACT allows the public authorities to act compatibly with and respect the human rights. Thus, this legislations have reduced the ethical issues to a great extent (Flo et al., 2016). Conclusion It can be concluded that ACP and ACD are beneficial for the individuals to revive adequate end of life care even if they lose autonomy. With the help of the legal framework and the protection offered, it is easy to overcome the ethical dilemma. Hence, it should be used in Australia. References Butler, M., Ratner, E., McCreedy, E., Shippee, N., Kane, R. L. (2014). Decision aids for advance care planning: an overview of the state of the ScienceDecision aids for advance care planning.Annals of internal medicine,161(6), 408-418. Detering, K. M., Hancock, A. D., Reade, M. C., Silvester, W. (2010). The impact of advance care planning on end of life care in elderly patients: randomised controlled trial.Bmj,340, c1345. Flo, E., Husebo, B. S., Bruusgaard, P., Gjerberg, E., Thoresen, L., Lillemoen, L., Pedersen, R. (2016). A review of the implementation and research strategies of advance care planning in nursing homes.BMC geriatrics,16(1), 24. Mullick, A., Martin, J., Sallnow, L. (2013). Advance care planning.Bmj,347(7930), 28-32.