Centre for Biomedical Ethics at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine

Caring for Older People in an Ageing Society

A Singapore Bioethics Casebook

Teaching and Learning Guide →

CASE STUDY

Mdm Kwok

This case concerns a retired seamstress who lives alone in a one-room HDB flat and has lived a relatively active life despite diabetes and hypertension. She is visited by Mr Chu, a case manager at a community-based organisation who is unclear what he should be doing for her. Should he be encouraging her to be healthier, or supporting her choices, even if they could lead to poorer health?

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CASE STUDY

Mr Tsao

This case concerns a widower who lives alone in an HDB flat. He is visited by Mr Sengupta, a retiree and volunteer befriender, who is concerned about the older man’s lack of interest in conversation or socialising. What should a befriender do for Mr Tsao?

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CASE STUDY

Mr Goh

This case concerns a man who spends all day at the food centre in an HDB block. He is observed by Mr Rasheed, a coffee stall hawker who wonders if the older man is safe on his own, but who is reluctant to get involved in another family’s business. What should a bystander do?

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CASE STUDY

Mrs Kumar

This case concerns an ageing caregiver who is undergoing dialysis and who worries about what will happen to her son, who lives with chronic mental illness. Should she ask her daughter, Amrita, to take over her caregiving duties?

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CASE STUDY

Mr Yap

This case concerns a man who has worsening pulmonary disease and who cares for his wife, who has mild dementia. How should his son, Alex, respond to the needs of his parents?

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CASE STUDY

Mr Tan

This case concerns a man with moderate dementia who lives with his daughter Leila and her family and is cared for by Nabila, a foreign domestic worker. When Mr Tan’s behaviour at an adult day care centre jeopardises his placement there, how should his extended family respond to his changing care needs?

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CASE STUDY

Mr Ali

This case concerns a man with neurological and physical impairments in the aftermath of a stroke, who is cared for by his wife Mdm Siti, and by Enziroh, a foreign domestic worker. When Mr Ali’s home care plan falls apart repeatedly, what should hospital staff do differently?

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CASE STUDY

Mdm Cho

This case concerns a woman with advanced dementia who is cared for by Smita, a foreign domestic worker, under the supervision of Serena, Mdm Cho’s daughter. When Mdm Cho begins to choke and spit during Smita’s attempts to feed her, how should Smita handle Serena’s expectation that she will be able to cope with the problem?

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CASE STUDY

Ms Yeo

This case concerns the director of nursing at a nursing home, who convenes a staff meeting to talk about a common problem. What should staff do, and refrain from doing, when a resident with dementia hits another person?

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CASE STUDY

Mrs Kulkarni

This case concerns the director of a nursing home, who meets her director of nursing and other senior staff to talk about shortcuts. Is it appropriate to use diapers to save time even if a resident does not need them, or is this practice ethically problematic?

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