Ms Smyth 78 years old had lived in the same home for 30

Last updated: 3/3/2023

Ms Smyth 78 years old had lived in the same home for 30 years Never married she cared for her disabled mother for 15 years After her mother died she lived alone on a small pension She appeared to be well groomed and appropriately dressed when she left her house Ms Smyth was hospitalized for a bowel obstruction and Joe a community health nurse made a follow up visit after discharge to her home When Joe arrived at the house he was overcome with the smell of rotting garbage urine and feces Five small dogs ran back and forth among piles of garbage and magazines overturned furniture and discarded appliances There was no running water and the bathroom was not functional Joe told Ms Smyth that her living conditions were unhealthy and that he would contact a community agency to help her clean her house Ms Smyth became very angry and said no one had the right to take her things away Is it ethical for Joe to overrule Ms Smyth s autonomy in decision making What action is in Ms Smyth s best interests What action is in the community s best interests What ethical issues are involved in caring for a client with a hoarding disorder such as that seen in Ms Smyth s situation