Ethical Practice in Geropsychology

Working with older clients involves a number of unique ethical challenges, including those related to the array of health concerns that psychologists do not often encounter with younger clients, such as Alzheimer's disease. Perhaps the greatest challenge for geropsychologists is balancing the principles of respecting client autonomy and promoting client welfare, especially when a client's decision-making capacity is in question. Geropsychologists also must negotiate the competing interests and expectations of clients and their relatives, other healthcare professions, and the institutions in which many older adults are evaluated and treated. To help geropsychologists navigate these complex issues, this book introduces a structured decision-making process that draws heavily from principle-based and positive ethics and provides practical applications of the APA Ethics Code while also accounting for federal laws and regulations. Detailed case examples illustrate how to apply this process in a variety of treatment contexts, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and hospice care. These vignettes review unique considerations for assessment, intervention, consultation, business practices, education and training, and advocating for clients' rights. This book will also help geropsychologists prepare for the ethics component of the board certification exam.