Providing End of Life Support to Older Adults: Ethical Considerations

Providing End of Life Support to Older Adults: Ethical Considerations

Ethical considerations must be a constant topic throughout the course of the social worker’s career. With each role we expand our understanding of ethics and learn new skills to help keep our practice aligned with the Code of Ethics. Providing services for older adults and their families at end of life can be interpersonally and ethically challenging to navigate. Older adults are the fastest growing population in the United States. As the population ages, so will the need for more social workers to provide services, including support during the end-of-life period. In this training, we will discuss what is meant by end of life and the common ethical considerations that arise for helping professionals.

Learning objectives. After this workshop, attendees will be able to:

1. Identify the ethical principles relevant to working with clients during end of life

2. Describe the role of the social worker for clients during the end-of-life stage

3. Discuss the different influences that helped to shape the social worker's perspective on end of life issues

4. Identify the laws that impact the care clients receive during end of life

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Tiffany Oscar is a seasoned social work professional and Program Director at The Washington Home. With a background in program development, grant management and community engagement, she has been able to leverage her skills to impact change at the macro and micro levels.

For the past six years, Tiffany has managed a portfolio of grants and designed funding strategies that build strong partnerships and create a meaningful impact in the community. This work has led to more non-profit organizations receiving vital funding resources to improve the well-being of older adults and individuals with critical illnesses.

Prior to philanthropy, Tiffany worked for 10 years as a social worker in the areas of child development, refugee resettlement, mental health, medical social work and employee training and development. Tiffany is passionate about supporting social workers, older adults and self-care. Her passion for social work has led to practicing in Texas, Louisiana and Washington, D.C.

Tiffany is clinically licensed and earned a MS in Social Work from The University of Texas at Austin (2009) and a Masters in Public Administration from American University (2017).