NASW Code Of Ethics Case Study

When working with older adults it is important to consider certain ethical implications. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) outlines best ethical practices to avoid said implications, and it is pertinent for social workers to keep the NASW Code of Ethics in mind when working with any client population, specifically older adults. The NASW Code of Ethics calls social workers to treat their clients with dignity and respect, to give them the right to self-determination, and to provide them with informed consent (2008). These items are particularly important when working with older adults, as many elders are not provided with choice and opportunity for self-determination in their everyday life (Mallers, Claver, & Lares, 2014). For the interview process with my elder partner, it was important I treated her with dignity and respect, as well as provide her with the right to self-determination. Had I acted indifferently towards her, or not asked her open-ended questions that allowed her to think and process information for herself, she may have left our interview feeling deflated and unsatisfied. To avoid making my elder partner feel this way, it will be beneficial to allow her to guide
The NASW Code of Ethics (2008) stresses the importance of insuring one’s client understands clearly what is going on throughout the social service process, but for older clients with hearing or cognitive problems, it may become difficult to provide informed consent (Mayo and Wallhager, n.d.). Although my elder partner is fully cognizant and of normal hearing, I may interact with a client in the future who is differently abled. It will be important for me to remain aware of my future clients’ abilities and limitations. By understanding where the client is coming from, I will be able to adjust my way of communicating to allow my client to most clearly understand what my role