Ethics- Decision Making

Katie Koplow and Traycie Swartz

Ethical Issues
PRT 5350
April 12, 2014

Autonomy Rights for patients with Dementia

Scenario:
You are a CTRS working in a long-term treat facility. A patient, Ms. West, was admitted
for advanced dementia and has past medical history of coronary artery disease and has
had an aortic valve replacement making her weak and unstable. She has been suffering
from severe memory problems that have worsened to affect her activities of daily living.
This has lead the patient to be easily agitated and irritable. Patient has expressed feelings
of depression due to being worried about her memory problems and often wonders off.
Although she has advanced dementia, what concerns the Recreational Therapist, is her
being at a high risk of falling. The CTRS is planning a nature walk and is unsure if she
should let Ms. West participate due to her tendency to wonder and her physical weakness
that could lead to a fall. When RT asked Ms. West if she was feeling able to go on the
nature walk she expressed a desire to participate. The CTRS is worried that the patient
might fall and doesnt want to be liable if she gets injured. The patients autonomy is in
question and CTRS is unsure who should make the decision if patient gets to participate.



















Ethics- Decision Making
References:

Alzheimer's Association. (2014). Retrieved from www.alz.org

Atra code of ethics. (2009). Retrieved from
http://sites.temple.edu/ldpeterson/standards-of-practice-and-ethics/

Dementia: autonomy and decision-making. (2012). Retrieved from
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/

Stumbo, N. (2009). Professional issues in therapeutic recreation. (Second ed.).
Champaign: Sagamore Publishing.