Course Description:
The fundamental ethics principles of respect for persons, beneficence, and justice are not reflected in certain standards of healthcare services for family caregivers. Social workers must be aware of the current ethical concerns that often arise when working with family caregivers. This CE examines who family caregiving raises two major ethical issues that should concern social workers in all settings. First, though it is generally accepted in healthcare policy that family caregivers require their own standard of care to protect their health and wellbeing, many current practices do not provide meaningful supports for family caregivers. Second, significant legal reforms are needed to remedy the deficits in how U.S. healthcare systems care for family caregivers.
Individuals with life-long disabilities and the family caregivers that support them are often marginalized in society. Both populations face unique barriers and challenges to future planning for unique financial, healthcare, and special education needs across their lifespans. Family caregivers who support individuals with disabilities face an increased risk of experiencing financial insolvency, depression and anxiety conditions, limited social support, and their own chronic disabilities. Experiences include, but are not limited to: struggles with financial solvency, paying out-of-pocket costs for disability-related expenses, and receiving education services that are not tailored to address specific needs.
Social workers play an integral role in supporting individuals with disabilities as well as their caregivers. As such, social workers are uniquely suited to provide appropriate services and supports for people with disabilities and their caregivers. This CE is relevant to supporting social work professional development as it pertains to the ethical challenges that can arise when working with family caregivers and best practice considerations for assisting this vulnerable population.
Course Link:
https://www.emich.edu/engage/business/professional-programs-training/programs/social-work/index.php
CE Value (credits): 3
CE Type: Standard, Ethics
Sponsor Name:
Eastern Michigan University
Contact Information:
Caren Putzu
734-487-4429
emu_socialworkce@emich.edu