Question

An elderly woman, JT, recently moved in with her adult son, his wife and their 2 children, after the death of her husband. JT is being evaluated in your emergency room due to a broken rib and bruising. JT is very quiet, passive and lets her daughter in law speak for her. The daughter in law reports to the nursing staff, "JT fell down the basement steps as JT was carrying a basket of clothes to the laundry area and slipped on the step". JT doesn’t deny or refute the information. As the nurse, you interview JT alone and find out the daughter in law pushed JT and she fell down the stairs.

Your share this with a colleague who states: “I don't think it's any of our business what people do in the privacy of their own homes. Nothing will be done even if you report it”.

1.  How will you respond?

2.  What are you legally required to do?

3.  What are your ethical responsibilities?

Answer 1

1. You should always show empathy towards the patient and educate her regarding the elderly abuse. You should ask if there is any relative or friends who is willing to support her. You should ask if she wants to complaint regarding it. You should also offer if the patient wants to stay in an elderly care if she does not feel safe with her daughter in law.

2. You can always report to the local police station or any NGO who will help her get a safe place to stay and where her health and well being will be maintained.

3. One of the ethics which you should be following in this case would be beneficence, it follows only benefit for the patient and no harm ,and we can also follow principle of autonomy in which the patient have their right to make their own decisions, because even if you suggest them to opt for nursing home or old age home or with any NGO, it is patient decision at the end.