CASE STUDY

Case Study

Case Study

Introduction

I took the story of Ivy because I want to study about dementia and I have more interest to study dementia because it is a vast area of interest as intellectual functioning refers to memory, thinking, reasoning, understanding, judgment, and behaviour. A decrease in intellectual functioning is known as cognitive impairment. For the purpose of this assignment, ethics in relation to nursing will be discussed. “Ethics is a code of principles governing correct behaviour, which in the nursing profession includes behaviour towards patients and their families, visitors and colleagues” (Eliopoulos 2001 297). Many people believe that cognitive impairment is a part of aging. Actually, most elderly persons can function intellectually. They may be slower in reacting and more cautious. Some may have poor grammar or limited vocabularies. You must remember that many of today's elderly did not have a lot of schooling. They grew up when times were hard.

Discussion

Dementia is a type of cognition disorder, multifactor and devastating disease with unhappy outcomes. Its prevalence is increasing as the population is ageing, but it is not a normal process of ageing. The most common causes of dementia are Alzheimer's disease. Early diagnosis is important, because some types of secondary dementia are reversible. From a psychological perspective there are four stages, and from a biologic perspective there are different ideas about causation. The main one of these concerns is abnormal protein levels in the brain. Challenging behaviours are very common, however the role of nurses and caregivers are very important. According to the cognition level and stages of the disease ethical and legal issues should be considered when planning care. Some elderly persons do develop acute confusion or dementia. Acute confusion usually can be reversed. Dementia cannot. Dementia is a chronic condition that eventually leads to death. Certain diseases cause changes in the brain. Dementia is the term used to describe the mental disorder caused by these changes. There are many causes of dementia. It is seen in the advanced stages of AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. Multi-infarct dementia is due to multiple small strokes. Signs and symptoms of dementia develop slowly. They may go unnoticed for a long time. Dementias are chronic. There is no cure, and they become progressively worse.

Ethical issues related to Ivy's Case

Older people need help to make decisions about where or how they should live; how to handle their finances, or medical or dental treatments as not done in Ivy's case. Normally the responsible person is the appropriate family member who is caring for older people with dementia. Where, because of disputes, objections to decisions, neglect, exploitation or abuse, problems arise with families, or the patient does not have any one to protect their interest the responsibilities becomes that of the Public Guardian (for providing consent for minor medical treatments and dental treatment). For consent for major medical treatment the Guardianship Board is responsible (Payne 2002 301).

Nurses must be aware of their ethical, legal and professional responsibilities and their knowledge of the ...