Title

The Erosion of Autonomy in Long-Term Care

UMMS Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry

Publication Date

1992

Document Type

Book

Subjects

Long-Term Care; Aged; Homes for the Aged; Personal Autonomy

Disciplines

Health Services Research | Mental and Social Health | Psychiatric and Mental Health | Psychiatry | Psychiatry and Psychology

Abstract

Citation: Lidz CW, Fischer LB & Arnold RM: The Erosion of Autonomy in Long Term Care. New York: Oxford University Press, 1992. ISBN 0195073940, 9780195073942.

Summary: In few places in American society are adults so dependent on others as in nursing homes. Minimizing this dependency and promoting autonomy has become a major focus of policy and ethics in gerontology. Yet most of these discussions are divorced from the day-to-day reality of long-term care and are implicitly based on concepts of autonomy derived from acute medical care settings. Promoting autonomy in long-term care, however, is a complex task which requires close attention to everyday routines and a fundamental rethinking of the meaning of autonomy. This work is based on an observational study of two different types of settings which provide long-term care for the elderly. The authors offer a detailed description of the organizational patterns that erode autonomy of the elderly. Their observations lead to a substantial rethinking of what the concept of autonomy means in these settings. The book concludes with concrete suggestions on methods to increase the autonomy of elderly individuals in long-term care institutions.

Partial preview available via Google Books.

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Systems and Psychosocial Advances Research Center Publications and Presentations

Link to Full Text

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