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Ethical Considerations in Decision-Making for an Elderly Alzheimer's Patient: A Case Report



Parsa M1 ; Modabber M2 ; Khaleghparast S3
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Medical Ethics, School of Medicine, Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Research Center, Research Center for War-Affected People, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Cardiovascular Nursing Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular Institute, Tehran, Iran

Source: Iranian Journal of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Published:2024

Abstract

In the current era, the alarming increase in the number of patients with Alzheimer's disease has led to greater attention to issues related to care and alternative decision-making for this special group in society. The four ethical principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, respect for autonomy, and justice serve as fundamental guidelines in medical decision-making. This study presents a case report of an elderly Alzheimer's patient and the ethical issues related to medical decision-making in the absence of a substitute decision-maker. Typically, for individuals lacking decision-making capacity, decisions are made by a substitute decision-maker and, in some countries, an advance care directive. In the absence of these, the medical team may make decisions in the best interest of the patient, considering the individual's cultural and social conditions, while taking into account the aforementioned ethical principles. © 2025Tehran University of Medical Sciences.