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Ethics at Resthaven
Aging is a complicated business. Sometimes Resthaven staff members, residents, or family members wonder, "What is the right thing to do?" When this question centers on what is morally right, we face an ethical issue.
Examples of questions that might fall into this category are:
• Who should make decisions for residents whose mental status is sometimes confused?
• How much freedom should be allowed to a resident who can be abusive toward others?
• How shall we respond to a resident who refuses to eat?
The Resthaven Ethics Committee, established by our Board of Trustees, serves as a monthly place for conversation of ethical issues. Members include administrators, nursing professionals, physicians, clergy, social workers, residents, and family members. They represent a variety of experiences and viewpoints, but all share a commitment to Resthaven's mission.
The committee has three main purposes:
1. To inform residents, family members, staff, and the community at large about ethical issues in elder care.
2. To review Resthaven's policies and procedures relating to ethical issues; to write and recommend new policies and procedures.
3. To review actual cases which have raised ethical issues, and to help resolve conflicts when ethical issues are involved.
You may wish to contact this committee to:
• Gain a clearer understanding of the moral issues that arise in providing daily care.
• Sort out the moral issues that arise when making difficult decisions about treatment or care options.
• Help resolve conflicts between residents, family, or staff when competing values are involved.
You may wish to take advantage of Resthaven's dedication to ethical conduct and bring an issue to a meeting. The committee's main goal is to be a safe and helpful place for discussion. It is not a decision-making body, so no one will tell you what you must do. Instead, the committee will help you think about the issues you face, or the decision you must make so you can sort out the ethical issues involved.
Contact :
Rev. Leigh VanKempen
Director of Pastoral Care
Resthaven Care Center
280 W. 40th Street • Holland, MI 49423
616-796-3610
leigh.vankempen@resthaven.org
Charles Vander Broek
President/C.E.O
Resthaven Care Community
9 East Eighth Street • Holland, MI 49423
616-796-3500
charles.vanderbroek@resthaven.org |
Resthaven Ethics Team
Nancy Burkitt, LSW
Admissions Coordinator
Resthaven Care Center
Pat Dowd
Director of Nursing
Resthaven Care Center
Dr. Steven Hamberg, MD
Resthaven Medical Director
Dr. Steven Hoogerwerf, PhD
Hope College Associate Professor of Religion
Medical Ethics Consultant
Laurel Hotchkiss, MSW
Social Worker
Resthaven Home Care
Mike Jalacki
Administrator
Resthaven Care Center
Rev. Paul A. Kehnle
Retired Lutheran Pastor
Barb Kuiper, RN
Healthcare Coordinator
Resthaven Maple Woods
Dan Lohman, RN
Nurse
Good Shepherd Home
Rev. John Schmidt
Pastor, Second Reformed Church, Zeeland
Resthaven Board of Trustees
Pam Senogles, MSW
Director of Social Services
Resthaven Care Center
Barbara Timmer
Resident
The Warm Friend
Rev. Leigh B. Van Kempen
Resthaven Chaplain
Jim Zeedyk
Family Member
Retired Educator
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