Code of Conduct of treating Elders

National Pensioners Commission, UK has come out with a code of conduct
in Nursing Homes and other places like OAH on how elderly must be
treated., essentially from the point of view of preventing Elder
Abuse. The short Code is attached. If our government takes up amending
MWPSCA this document will be useful to send our comments /
suggestions.

A copy of the code has been kept for public download here:

http://npcuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/NPC-Dignity-Code.doc

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It is reproduced here below

Dignity Code

The purpose of this Dignity Code is to uphold the rights and maintain
the personal dignity of older people, within the context of ensuring
the health, safety and well being of those who are increasingly less
able to care for themselves or to properly conduct their affairs.

This Code recognises that certain practices and actions are
unacceptable to older people, such as:

• Being abusive or disrespectful in any way, ignoring people or
assuming they cannot do things for themselves
• Treating older people as objects or speaking about them in their
presence as if they were not there
• Not respecting the need for privacy
• Not informing older people of what is happening in a way that they
can understand
• Changing the older person's environment without their permission
• Intervening or performing care without consent
• Using unnecessary medication or restraints
• Failing to take care of an older person's personal appearance
• Not allowing older people to speak for themselves, either directly
or through the use of a friend, relative or advocate
• Refusing treatment on the grounds of age

This Code therefore calls for:

• Respect for individuals to make up their own minds, and for their
personal wishes as expressed in 'living wills', for implementation
when they can no longer express themselves clearly
• Respect for an individual's habits, values, particular cultural
background and any needs, linguistic or otherwise
• The use of formal spoken terms of address, unless invited to do otherwise
• Comfort, consideration, inclusion, participation, stimulation and a
sense of purpose in all aspects of care
• Care to be adapted to the needs of the individual
• Support for the individual to maintain their hygiene and personal appearance
• Respect for people's homes, living space and privacy
• Concerns to be dealt with thoroughly and the right to complain
without fear of retribution
• The provision of advocacy services where appropriate

NPC
Walkden House, 10 Melton Street, London NW1 2EJ
www.npcuk.org

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Dr P Vyasamoorthy, 30 Gruhalakshmi Colony Secunderabad 500015 Ph
040-27846631 / 9490804278.