Ethical Issues for Seniors Flashcards
7 cards from real CSA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Ethical Issues for Seniors flashcards as text
Which document legally allows a designated person to make financial decisions on behalf of an incapacitated senior?
Answer: A durable power of attorney
A durable power of attorney authorizes an agent to manage financial affairs and remains valid even if the principal becomes incapacitated.
A senior who was victimized by a phone scam feels ashamed and does not want to report the crime. An ethical senior advisor should:
Answer: Gently explain reporting options, validate the senior's feelings, and provide resources without coercion
Providing information and emotional support while respecting the senior's autonomy is the most ethical approach to scam victimization.
A senior advisor working in a continuing care retirement community has a fiduciary duty to:
Answer: The residents and their families, placing their interests above the advisor's own
Fiduciary duty requires the advisor to act in the best interests of the clients they serve, regardless of who employs or compensates them.
Which of the following best describes 'ageism' as an ethical concern in senior services?
Answer: Stereotyping or discriminating against individuals based on their age
Ageism is prejudice or discrimination against people based on their age, which can undermine equitable service delivery to seniors.
A 90-year-old client insists on living alone despite documented fall risks. The ethical approach balances:
Answer: The client's autonomy and right to self-determination vs. duty to promote safety
Ethical practice requires balancing respect for the senior's autonomous choice to live independently with the advisor's duty to promote their well-being.
When a CSA suspects cognitive decline is affecting a client's financial decisions, the recommended first action is to:
Answer: Refer the client to their physician for a formal cognitive evaluation
Referring a client with suspected cognitive decline to a physician for formal evaluation is the appropriate and ethical first step.
Which of the following is an example of self-neglect in an older adult?
Answer: Failing to maintain adequate nutrition, hygiene, or medical care due to unwillingness or inability
Self-neglect occurs when an older adult fails to meet their own basic needs for food, hygiene, or medical care, often due to cognitive or physical decline.