Illinois Department of Aging
2012 Elder Rights Conference
Reaching Within
Session T13
Reaching Within, Part Two:
What is a dilemma?
Dilemma
• From the Greek:
• Di—two
• Limos—horns
• Literally, Two horned
Our dilemma’s become ethical when
the good or bad choices have a moral
component
Important Distinction
• If something is governed by legal
precedent, it is not an ethical dilemma.
• The dilemma might become whether
you choose to follow that law or not.
Common APS Dilemmas
• Self determination vs. worker’s
perception of client’s best interests
• Freedom vs. safety
• Protecting confidentiality vs.
prevention of harm
• Respect for a colleague vs. loyalty to
your agency
Dilemma Paradigms
• Truth versus loyalty
• Individual versus community
• Short term versus long term
• Justice versus mercy
Precisely because right versus right is
harder than right versus wrong
Having a framework for
ethical decision making is
important.
Review Applicable Code of Ethics
• Ethical codes are not a legal document,
but professionals are bound to the
tenets of their code and can be sued for
breach
• Codes can be revised or updated as
needed
• Know your Code!
What Makes a Good Code of
Ethics?
• Mission statement
• Value base of the organization
• Ethical principles to guide practices
• Ethical standards
The NAPSA Ethical Principles and
Best Practice Guidelines
Framework for
Ethical Decision Making
1) Describe the problem within its
correct context (exactly who is this
really a problem for?)
2) Define the problem in its ethical terms
3) Identify and rank the key values and
principles involved (CRITICAL)
Framework, continued
4. Gather your information (laws,
policies, applicable ethical codes, the
affected individual’s views and values,
your own biases)
5. Determine possible options (identify
cost and benefit of each option)
Framework, continued
6. Consider possible courses of action
* discard any you can’t put into action
* discard those which violate the
value symptoms of those being
affected
Framework, continued
• Put your plan into action!
• Evaluate the outcomes for each person
involved
• Submit your difficult cases to an ethical
review board
Questions?
Ethical Case Studies Activity
• Form Triads
• Review assigned case
• Apply framework, discussing the steps
• Prepare action plan
• Debrief with large group