Ethics and practice : A literature study of ethical challenges for social workers in elderly care

The purpose of this study is to highlight and analyze the most common ethical challenges that social workers face in elderly care, based on previous research. Through a structured literature study, this study aims to identify recurring themes and ethical challenges, as well as to highlight factors that contribute to these challenges. In addition, the study aims to create an understanding of how these ethical challenges can affect social workers' professional practice as well as the strategies that are proposed as solutions to navigate ethical challenges. This study is based on two central questions, which are: “What ethical challenges are identified in research on the work of social workers in elderly care, and what underlying factors contribute to ethical challenges arising for social workers in elderly care?” and “What strategies for dealing with ethical challenges are described in the research on elderly care?”. The method used to address these questions is a literature review, that is, the examination of scientific articles. The literature review was conducted to obtain an overview of the knowledge area related to the research questions. The search was performed in various databases, including PsycInfo, Sociological Abstracts, and SwePub. These databases were relevant to topics within social work, making them suitable for this study. The results indicate that ethical challenges arise within multiple contexts of social work with elderly people, with the right to self-determination and autonomy identified as the main common denominator. Factors such as cost-effectiveness, autonomy, family collaboration, knowledge gaps and a lack of managerial support are also identified as themes within ethical challenges. These challenges appear to be intertwined with one and other, which indicates a complexity regarding the navigation of such challenges. The strategies found were aimed to increase social workers' ability to navigate ethical challenges by means of obtaining knowledge regarding ethical issues, as well as increasing support provided by colleagues and management within the profession. The conclusion that has been drawn is that ethical challenges within the social work with elderly people has proven to be a multifaceted and complex issue, where different contexts can lead to the rise of ethical challenges, yet share key ethical components. Furthermore, this study indicates a need for additional research within the area of ethical challenges concerning navigational strategies.