The Code of Ethics Provides
Accountability to our Clients
Aging Life Care Association (ALCA) members recognize diversity in our society and embrace a multicultural approach to support the worth, dignity, potential and uniqueness of each client. The Code of Ethics acknowledges the vulnerable population we serve and makes explicit the highest standards of practice.
Accountability to the Public
The Code of Ethics sets a national standard for the professional practice of Aging Life Care™. It defines for the public the ethical responsibilities expected of ALCA's members and the organization's role in maintaining the highest standards of practice and promotion of ethical behavior.
Education of Aging Life Care Professionals
ALCA recognizes the diversity of the experience and education of its members, and the needs of members for guidance in both their professional and business roles. Thus, the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice were developed to guide members in each of these roles. It states the core values and principles to current and future members, to the public, and to allied professionals. All members of the ALCA are expected to understand and behave in a manner that is consistent with the provisions of the Code of Ethics.
A Framework for Analyzing and Resolving Ethical Dilemmas
The Code of Ethics offers a framework for ethical decision-making when conflicts arise in either the practice or the business of Aging Life Care. It assists Aging Life Care Professionals in examining the ethical issues present in all aspects of their work by identifying what principles need to be considered and how to prioritize them when it is necessary to make a choice. It asks Aging Life Care Professionals to be aware of their own biases as they seek to resolve ethical dilemmas.
Assistance in Reviewing Complaints
In ALCA's Professional Conduct Review Process, the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice serve as the basis for assessing and resolving ethical or business practice complaints against members in their practice of Aging Life Care.
The Code: Ethical Principles and Standards of Practice Supporting these Principles
1. Integrity
An Aging Life Care Professional is honest, diligent, and accountable in the provision of service. An Aging Life Care Professional always acts in a manner that is consistent with the professional values stated in this Code.
2. Loyalty and Responsibility
An Aging Life Care Professional is trustworthy and dependable in all aspects of both professional and business relationships. An Aging Life Care Professional maintains confidentiality, avoids conflicts of interest, and always pursues the best interest of clients.
3. Promoting Benefit and Avoiding Harm
An Aging Life Care Professional promotes clients' interests, values, and welfare in order to maximize benefits and avoid harm. An Aging Life Care Professional is aware of potential conflicts that may arise when balancing the benefits and risks of interventions being considered. An Aging Life Care Professional strives to assure that vulnerable clients' individual choices are maximized to the greatest extent possible.
4. Respect for Clients' Rights and Dignity
An Aging Life Care Professional treats clients with respect, as complete individuals with their own history, narrative, and unique cultural identity. An Aging Life Care Professional respects the rights of each client, including the right to privacy, and, for the vulnerable client, strives to balance client autonomy with the need for protection and safety.
5. Justice
An Aging Life Care Professional behaves in a just and fair way in all professional and business relationships. An Aging Life Care Professional does not promote or sanction any form of discrimination such as discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or socioeconomic status.