Ethical Issues for Seniors Flashcards

A CSA notices that an 82-year-old client has multiple small wire transfers to an unfamiliar overseas account. The most appropriate action is:

Answer: Discuss the transactions with the client and assess for financial exploitation

Discussing unusual transactions directly with the client is the proper first step to assess whether exploitation or deception is occurring.

Informed consent in the context of serving seniors requires that the client:

Answer: Understands the nature, risks, and alternatives of a proposed action before agreeing

Informed consent is valid only when the client has sufficient information about options, risks, and consequences to make a genuine choice.

A CSA who accepts undisclosed referral fees from a care facility they recommend to clients is violating which ethical principle?

Answer: Full disclosure and avoidance of conflicts of interest

Undisclosed referral fees create an undisclosed conflict of interest, violating the advisor's duty of transparency and full disclosure.

When a senior expresses a desire to stop a recommended medical treatment, the ethical framework calls for:

Answer: Respecting the senior's right to refuse treatment if they have decision-making capacity

A capacitated adult has the legal and ethical right to refuse any treatment, even if that decision may harm their health.

Which scenario most clearly illustrates psychological elder abuse?

Answer: A family member repeatedly threatens an elder with placement in a nursing home unless they comply with financial demands

Repeated threats used to coerce compliance with financial demands are a textbook example of psychological (emotional) elder abuse.

A CSA is asked by a long-time client to serve as the executor of their estate. The most ethical course of action is to:

Answer: Evaluate potential conflicts of interest before accepting and disclose all concerns to the client

Serving as executor while also being an advisor can create conflicts of interest that must be evaluated and disclosed before accepting the role.

Financial exploitation of an elder differs from ordinary theft primarily because:

Answer: It often involves a trusted relationship and exploitation of the elder's vulnerability or dependency

Elder financial exploitation characteristically involves a breach of trust by a caregiver, family member, or other person in a position of authority.