Case scenario: After seven years of being cared for at home for progressive Alzheimer’s disease operated by your organization, Mrs. Dowd has been admitted to a LTC home, also part of your corporate portfolio. Upon visiting his wife one day, Mr. Dowd finds her walking hand-in-hand with a male resident. Staff report Mrs. Dowd has been observed following this male resident into his room, which is immediately next to hers. Mr. Dowd becomes angry and states, “Look, it is your job to protect my wife. Get that man out of here right now. I don’t want her involved with any other man. That’s why I admitted her here.” What are some of the ethical issues in this case? What do you recommend? Is Mrs. Dowd able to understand and appreciate her actions with the male resident? Does the staff have an obligation to intervene to protect Mrs. Dowd? Or at the request of Mr. Dowd? If Mrs. Dowd was capable (competent), would the responsibility of the LTC home staff remain the same? Consider the experience of retired US Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, described at Does this change your mind?
