Is It Ethically Correct to Hide Medication in Food and Drinks of Patients with Dementia?
It is known that in some residential homes the use of covert drugs has become common practice. In 2001 the regulatory body, the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery, said drugs could be given covertly if it was in the patient's best interests. This statement has created a lot of debate among some human right defenders as they might enter in direct conflict to the Code of Conduct of Nursing and Midwifery where clearly states nurses must “Ensure to gain consent before beginning any treatment or care.”
(Code of Practice, Mental Health Act 1983) This has generated some ethical issues around this topic.
The term ‘covert medication’ means to give medication secretly hidden in food or beverages, without consent from patients. For some this practice seems far less intrusive than administering injectable medication by physically restraining a person who does not want to be medicated. It will be undetected by the person receiving the medication.
According to the Alzheimer's Society there are approximately half a million people living with dementia in England.
Dementia is not a specific disease. Dementia is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain that affects multiple brain functions to the point that affect daily life activities (driving, shopping, balancing a checkbook, working, etc.) and relationships. While dementia often includes memory loss, memory loss by itself does not mean that a person has dementia. (http://memory.ucsf.edu/Education/general.html, 12-02-09)
A number of different disorders can cause dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common in older adults.
Some people with the disease can develop aggression and have violent verbalisations, their behaviour can become more and more abnormal, making it difficult for the care professionals to deliver the quality of care as to follow the treatment they need.
Residential homes are full of cases of people living with different conditions: Hypertension, arthritis, osteoarthritis,
(Code of Practice, Mental Health Act 1983) This has generated some ethical issues around this topic.
The term ‘covert medication’ means to give medication secretly hidden in food or beverages, without consent from patients. For some this practice seems far less intrusive than administering injectable medication by physically restraining a person who does not want to be medicated. It will be undetected by the person receiving the medication.
According to the Alzheimer's Society there are approximately half a million people living with dementia in England.
Dementia is not a specific disease. Dementia is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain that affects multiple brain functions to the point that affect daily life activities (driving, shopping, balancing a checkbook, working, etc.) and relationships. While dementia often includes memory loss, memory loss by itself does not mean that a person has dementia. (http://memory.ucsf.edu/Education/general.html, 12-02-09)
A number of different disorders can cause dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common in older adults.
Some people with the disease can develop aggression and have violent verbalisations, their behaviour can become more and more abnormal, making it difficult for the care professionals to deliver the quality of care as to follow the treatment they need.
Residential homes are full of cases of people living with different conditions: Hypertension, arthritis, osteoarthritis,