Sometimes people who are in need of a caregiver insist on a particular race, gender or sexual orientation. Should this be allowed? Most states have a version of the Patient's Bill of Rights, which gives patients the right to weigh in on the care that he or she receives. In some states, these rights include the right to an "accommodation of individual needs and preferences."
However, two recent Court of Appeals cases struck down the ability of a nursing home to thwart care from certain caregivers based on the discriminatory preferences of the patient.
What do you think?
This is very difficult. While certainly against discrimination in general, I am in favor of a person's right to choose. The personal services provided by a caregiver are so intimate and if at all possible should be a pleasant experience/relationship for the patient. Unfortunatley, the issue of choice may come down to whose paying for it.
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