From the Woman's Viewpoint: Ethical Dilemmas Confronted by Women as Informal Caregivers of Frail Elders

Abstract

Women as informal caregivers face complex ethical dilemmas in caring for a frail elder. Through indepth interviews with 13 ethnically diverse caregivers, this qualitative study explored women's ethical decision-making. Focus group interviews of home health staff, key informant caregivers, and interviewees provided guidance for research design, reflection on findings and development of implications. Findings are integrated into an ethical decision-making model that includes types of ethical dilemmas (e.g., protection of life vs. autonomy); feelings that permeate decision making (e.g., fear); processes for addressing ethical dilemmas (e.g., family collaboration); and supportive services. Implications include (a) expansion of services to meet caregivers' ongoing needs, (b) research that acknowledges multiple decision-making components, and (c) the use of caregiving vignettes in the classroom.