Discrimination in Providing Healhtcare to Elders Essay

Valuing People Now 2001; Putting People First 2007; Human Rights Act 1998; Mental Health Act 2007; Mental Capacity Act 2005; The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Amendment) Regulations 2003; Disability Discrimination Act 2005; safeguarding children and vulnerable adults policies; key aspects of current related legislation for England, Wales and Northern Ireland

This assignment will define and analyse the need for a chosen service improvement within the pathway of mental health, as well as evaluating the suggested service. Demonstrating how this service can inform and benefit integrated practice, discussing the ways in which the agency’s statutory obligations and responsibilities impact on both individual and group decision making. The chosen service improvement for this assignment is the introduction of a mental health nurse into primary care services, for example, a GP Surgery. Focusing on service users with mental health issues in the community and therefore in the care of the local Primary Care Trust (PCT).

The key legislations include , Human Rights Act 1998 , Mental Capacity Act 2005 , Adults and Incapacity Act 2000 , Mental Health Act 1995 , Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and Carers Equal Opportunities Act 2004.Each and every

Darby, S. Marr, J. Crump, A Scurfield, M (1999) Older People, Nursing & Mental Health. Oxford: Buterworth-Heinemann.

My chosen reflection piece is on ageism, see appendix one. I will provide evidence reflecting the links between diabetes and depression, which will form my chosen seminar topic, see appendix two. I will then critically analyze the mental capacity Act (2005) and relate it to my specific scenario, see appendix three. I will explore how nurses the Act within nursing practice, decision- making, and how we access a person’s capacity to make specific decisions. I will explore any ethical issues that may arise following the principles of Mental Capacity Act (2005).

1.1 What is the impact of the Mental Health Act, and the Mental Incapacity Act (Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards) on individuals who are living with the experience of dementia; with regards to minimising the risks of harm whilst at the same time enabling rights and choices for the individual?

This piece of legislation applies to Winterbourne house as it outlines the importance of maintaining the rights of those suffering from a mental health disorder. Those suffering from a mental health disorder may suffer from low self esteem due to the fact that mental health disorders are still surrounded with a stigma. Those working closely with these individuals must ensure that they do not feel they are being discriminated against and must maintain their self confidence, self esteem and self respect.

P3: describe the potential effects of discriminatory practices on those who use the health and social care service.

D2- Evaluate the influence of two major theories of ageing on health and social care provision.

The author will also discuss the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the Mental Health Act (1983) and how it protect an adult who is vulnerable and lacks capacity. Likewise, the author will discuss ranges of nursing interventions, person-centred care, and ethical dilemmas.

The Department of Healthy formed a National Service Frame for Older People (2001) which was established to look at the problems for the elderly people so they get the best quality of care. This helps to minimise age discrimination in elderly people and it promotes independence and provides person centred care. The framework has four underlying principles which are; respecting the individual, intermediate care, providing evidence based specialist care and promoting an active healthy life. There is also National Care Standards which aims to improve the quality of life of the patients by the level of care and support provided. The frameworks and legislations help to guide Alice’s care.

The graph below, featured in a report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, reveals that although there has been a slight decrease in the proportion of youth with mental illness, youth aged 16-24 still have the highest prevalence of mental disorders of all age groups. Approximately 26% or 671,000 youth experienced a mental illness in 2007 alone. Comparatively, less than 10% of people aged 65+ experienced a mental illness, although the prevalence in this age group has increased since 1997 (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2014). Although senior citizens have good mental health in general, due to stigmatism they are less likely than other age groups to seek help, often waiting until they desperately need assistance (Health Direct

The Ontario Mental Health Act has adopted a broad definition of mental health. The term broad has been defined as “any disease or disability in mind” (Mental Health Act, 1990 as cited in Gray et al., 2016). Apart from Ontario, only Quebec has adopted such a definition to mental health. Other jurisdictions have been more specific in defining mental health (Gray et al., 2016). The authors pointed out that the mental health act in

Discrimination is the worst it makes you feel worthless, useless and nobody wants you to exist in the world. I can relate to this story because I was discriminated in a volunteer experience at a senior home helping with laundry. I have a disability which is autism spectrum disorder and this meant having issues with talking to others. The laundry manager thought I was bored and said that I needed a break without even asking me. I was devastated that someone could be so ignorant to not even ask if I am enjoying myself before he made the assumption. I ended up doing other tasks but I hated them it was not my style. At the end of volunteering, I didn’t feel safe in the senior home and I did not want to help out in a place where someone didn’t accept

According to the American Psychiatric Association “Studies show that seniors are at greater risk of some mental disorders and their complications than younger people, and many of these illnesses can be accurately diagnosed and treated.”(American Psychiatric Association, 2015, para. 1). Although many of the illnesses can be treated, many go undiagnosed due to the fact that many individuals do not understand mental illnesses and some seniors are reluctant to seek psychiatric care due to being ashamed or believing that their symptoms are a part of aging that everyone experiences. It is not just the seniors and their family or friends that fail to recognize symptoms of mental illness, even their doctors may mistake a symptom of mental illness for another illness or problem associated with older adults.