Elderly

Discuss the following in your paper:

Identify and describe the vulnerable group.

Describe justifications for including the group in research. Be sure to discuss the ethical principles supporting their inclusion in studies.

Explain any issues or concerns related to the possible exploitation of the group. Include any problems that may be specific to the group.

Discuss any issues or concerns related to the informed consent/informed consent process. Describe efforts the research team could take to minimize coercion.

Describe issues or concerns related to privacy and confidentiality. Include mechanisms to protect and ensure privacy and confidentiality.

Book : The Ethics of Research with Human Subjects Protecting People, advancing science, Promoting Trust by Resnik

ANSWER

Elderly

The Vulnerable Group.

A vulnerable group includes people with increased relative risk and low environmental and societal resources due to chronic disease, age, socioeconomic status, and disability status that can lead to high mortality and morbidity. Vulnerable populations include the homeless, people with chronic health conditions, the elderly, and children. This research will focus on the elderly, who are considered a vulnerable group due to their physical and mental impairments. The elderly are a growing population due to advances in healthcare and sanitation. An elderly group is vulnerable because they experience more chronic health illnesses (Bozzaro, Boldt, and Schweda, 2018). An elderly group is also a vulnerable group due to their mental impairments. Depression is common among the elderly and can lead to suicide.

Inclusion of the Group

The inclusion of the elderly in research is essential to understanding the health needs of this growing population. However, the elderly group is a vulnerable population and must be protected from undue harm. The ethical principles of beneficence, respect for persons, and justice guide in conducting research with the elderly. First, the principle of beneficence requires that research be designed to maximize benefits and minimize risks. Second, the principle of respect for persons requires that research be conducted with the informed consent of the participants. Third, the principle of justice requires that research be conducted equitably, considering the participants’ vulnerability.

Possible Exploitation of the Group

An elderly group is vulnerable because they are more likely to be isolated, have cognitive impairments, and be economically disadvantaged. Age-related issues such as dementia, poor cognitive skills, and physical frailty can make it challenging for the elderly to ask questions and make decisions (Bracken-Roche et al., 2017). These vulnerabilities can make them more susceptible to exploitation in research. Several ethical principles should be taken into account when conducting research with this population to prevent exploitation. First, the principle of beneficence requires that the research be designed to benefit the participants. Second, the principle of respect for autonomy mandates that the participants be given information about the study to understand and make an informed decision about whether or not to participate.

Issues Related to Informed Consent

Informed consent and competency of the elderly patient population have been neglected concerns in research. The elderly group is vulnerable and may not be able to give truly informed consent due to cognitive decline, which has raised ethical concerns (Arrant, 2020). To respect the autonomy of the elderly and minimize coercion, the research team should ensure that the participants are given clear and concise information about the study in a way they can understand. The team should also ensure that all questions about the study are answered honestly and thoroughly and that participants are not pressured into participating.

Issues Related to Privacy and Confidentiality

Privacy and confidentiality breaches are major ethical issues in research among the elderly. Many studies involving the elderly are seen to increasingly differ in their awareness of confidentiality and privacy. The elderly group is often seen as a vulnerable population and may be subject to undue influence, violating their privacy during data collection, analysis, and reporting. To protect the elderly, researchers should ensure that all information collected is confidential and secure. Data should be encrypted and stored in a secure location. It is important to remember that the elderly group is not homogenous, and therefore each research study needs to be designed taking into account the unique needs of that particular population.

References

Arrant, K. (2020). Ethical Considerations When Conducting Research With Older Adults. Journal of Interprofessional Practice and Collaboration, 2(1), 5.

Bozzaro, C., Boldt, J., & Schweda, M. (2018). Are older people a vulnerable group? Philosophical and bioethical perspectives on aging and vulnerability. Bioethics, 32(4), 233-239.

Bracken-Roche, D., Bell, E., Macdonald, M. E., & Racine, E. (2017). The concept of ‘vulnerability’in research ethics: An in-depth analysis of policies and guidelines. Health research policy and systems, 15(1), 1-18.