Ethical decision-making in community care services for the elderly

Abstract

Unlike the traditional agency-based care approach, consumer-directed care puts more emphasis on promoting clients’ rights, autonomy, self-determination, freedom of choice and informed decision-making which is consistent with social work values. In 2013, the HKSAR Government also adopted the self-directed/ consumer directed approach for elderly service programme planning and implementation.

In this presentation, the case of the community care service voucher for the elderly in Hong Kong is used to discuss how this new service model can provide elderly clients more choice, autonomy and voice in determining their own care and service packages. I also discuss how these ethical considerations can be encompassed within a framework of empowerment. Finally, ethical dilemmas in elderly services are discussed.