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Dangerous Behavior in a Demented Patient
Author(s) -
Watts David T.,
Cassel Christine K.,
Howell Timothy
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1989.tb01258.x
Subject(s) - medicine , independence (probability theory) , dementia , medical emergency , statistics , mathematics , disease , pathology
When a cognitively‐impaired elderly man nearly caused a serious fire at home through his inappropriate use of a gas oven, the incident raised questions about his capacity to live alone. Although he clearly wanted to preserve his independence, the health care team felt obligated to assure his safety. The following discussion of dangerous behavior in a demented elderly man elicits and portrays these conflicting values, and highlights the physician's obligations in such ethically and legally complex situations.