| RESPONSIBILITIES IN ELDERLY CARE: MR POWELL'S NARRATIVE OF DUTY AND RELATIONS. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 21518377 Owner: NLM Status: Publisher |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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In Western countries a considerable number of older people move to a residential home when their health declines. Institutionalization often results in increased dependence, inactivity and loss of identity or self-worth (dignity). This raises the moral question as to how older, institutionalized people can remain autonomous as far as continuing to live in line with their own values is concerned. Following Walker's meta-ethical framework on the assignment of responsibilities, we suggest that instead of directing all older people towards more autonomy in terms of independence, professional caregivers should listen to the life narrative of older people and attempt to find out how their personal identity, relations and values in life can be continued in the new setting. If mutual normative expectations between caregivers and older people are not carefully negotiated, it creates tension. This tension is illustrated by the narrative of Mr Powell, a retired successful public servant now living in a residential home. The narrative describes his current life, his need for help, his independent frame of mind, and his encounters with institutional and professional policies. Mr Powell sees himself as a man who has always cared for himself and others, and who still feels that he has to fulfil certain duties in life. Mr Powell's story shows that he is not always understood well by caregivers who respond from a one-sided view of autonomy as independence. This leads to misunderstanding and an underestimation of his need to be noticed and involved in the residential community. |
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Authors:
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Tineke Abma; Anne Bruijn; Tinie Kardol; Jos Schols; Guy Widdershoven |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: JOURNAL ARTICLE Date: 2011-4-26 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Bioethics Volume: - ISSN: 1467-8519 ISO Abbreviation: - Publication Date: 2011 Apr |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2011-4-26 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8704792 Medline TA: Bioethics Country: - |
Other Details:
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Languages: ENG Pagination: - Citation Subset: - |
Copyright Information:
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© 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. |
Affiliation:
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Department of Medical Humanities and the EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam Vughterstede, an organization for elderly care in Vught, The Netherlands Free University of Brussel and Vughterstede, an organization for elderly care in Vught, The Netherlands Department of General Practice and CAPHRI - School for Public Health and Primary Care, both at Maastricht University, Maastricht. |
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