Ethical Concerns for a Vulnerable Population

Today, one of the fastest growing segments of the population is the elderly. Due to healthcare advancements to increase longevity, 70 million American citizens will be considered elderly by 2030! This is all possible due to the research done by the medical community, although the NBAC (National Bioethics Advisory Commision) does not recognize the elderly as a vulnerable population. In fact, the agency does state that vulnerability can be context-specific, if a population may be at risk due to age, health, functional status, chronic, or terminal illness. Which, are some of the reasons that describe the elderly population. This can lead to an imbalance of subject at researcher when the elderly are not considered a vulnerable population. Also, due to age, eyesight, hearing and mental cognition tend to depreciate over time meaning that an elderly person or persons may not be able to hear the explanation for a study and its risks and benefits or be able to read pamphlets and consent forms. This leads to a huge shift of power between caretaker and patient. Many elderly adults tan become more dependant on family members in the decision-making process of healthcare choices. There are also psychosocial reasons for the population to be considered vulnerable. " At a time when the ability to cope becomes less, life changes such as illness, employment (retiring, loss of job), diminishment of income, and loss of spouse or loved ones can also increase vulnerability. In fact, lack of social support may be one of the greatest indicators of vulnerability in this age group. Loss of support contributes to feelings of powerlessness which may cause the elderly to participate in a study not because of the will to participate, but because s/he feels powerless to resist." It is important for the elderly, as a vulnerable population to get all of the help they need without being taken advantage of by healthcare and service agencies.