Ethical Question (Steamhead)

EBEBRATT-Ed

Frank,

You did the right thing.


ED

Steamhead (in transit)

I ran a no-heat call today

where the condition of the house was pretty bad. Floors covered with trash to a depth of at least 6 inches, neither toilet working so there were about 50 gallon jugs full of urine, bathtub not working, cockroaches, and I didn't want to go anywhere near the refrigerator which was also broken. I got the heat going and got out of there!

The owner appeared in his late 40s, and said he had been on lithium for years for manic-depression. He seemed like a nice guy, didn't argue when I told him to dump a bucket of water into the toilet to flush it or I wasn't going in there! I also asked if he has family or friends who look in on him, and he says he has neither. That's not hard to believe.

This is an obvious case of someone who, for whatever reason, has great difficulty taking proper care of himself. He is at least partially solvent since the utilities were on, and lucid enough to know to call for help with the heat. But in his condition and that of the house, he is harming himself, and the roaches and other sanitation problems could harm his neighbors (this is a rowhouse community).

Since we now know of this situation, and can never "un-know" it, I think we should call someone from the Health Department or Social Services to have a look and maybe get him some help. My partner Gordon agrees. But I wondered if it's really our business to do so, how others have handled such situations, and what the outcomes were.....

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Andy_14

Well, since it sounds like he doesn't have anyone else to notice, I believe you would be doing him a favor in the long run to contact someone.

Dave_4

If someone thought I was endangering my own health, I would hope they would talk to me about it before they called the health department.

Likewise, if someone I knew was endangering their health, I would like to think that I would talk to them before doing anything else.

Larry (from OSHA)

if you don't

I have a feeling that this will bother you as time goes on. If the place is as bad as you describe, this is a health hazard to not only himself, but to others as well. You already know this. We have a natural tendency to not want to get involved in other peoples business, but this seems to be one of those instances where you just have to because it's the right thing to do. Even if social services or whoever ends up not doing anything for him, you can know that you did the right thing.

My two cents worth.

Larry

Joe_75

I have to agree, at the least you can eas your own mind.

Steamhead (in transit)

Good point, Tim

but I'm not sure he really realizes his situation. And I'm not really qualified to evaluate whether he really does or not, or can be made to realize it, or is capable of making the needed changes without help.

We frequently tell homeowners on this board to "call a pro", and this sounds like a time when we should take our own advice.

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S Ebels

You're a good guy Frank

Just the fact that this bothers you tells me you already know where you're going with this situation. I think the Golden Rule applies here in full force.

Darrell

Your local law enforcement will do a "wellness check" without involving you by name if you'd rather not be involved personally or as a company. I figure that either we "protect the health of the nation" or we don't...even the ones that are falling through the cracks. I have gone to the State Troopers on several occasions over the years and requested a wellness check...especially when kids are involved. Its fairly easy for me since I do servicework for the Troopers. They have always handled the situation quietly, and professionally. One set of three kids I see frequently in their new situation...they do not know what I did for them...and I am always gratified to see them well dressed and happy. When a Trooper tells you that you did the right thing, with tears in his eyes...well...you don't need to be paid for it.

Ragu_5

Frank...

I can honestly feel your pain over this. Yes, something is needed here. No, it is not always proper to stick one's nose into somebody else's business.

In your list of friends, contacts aquaintances etc., do you know anybody who has experience in these matter? It definitely leans more toward social service work rather than law enforcement; however, Darrell had a valid point about the trooper's "wellness check".

My gut tells me that the work for you may be to find the least obtrusive "pro" to look into this situation. Proud of you! Jack


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Uni R_3

It's a matter of health...

In this day and age we hear about some pretty silly lawsuits. Well imagine some kid getting some bizarre illness from their neighbor's mess and word comes out that your company was there and never reported it. Even though this was a heat call, you are licensed plumbers.

You aren't interfering, you are intervening, and anyone who lives nearby would thank you.

Steamhead (in transit)

Well, I called the city this morning

the health department is going to work from the sanitation end, and Mental Health will try to find out if and where he is getting treatment. The city police don't do "wellness checks" as described, they just knock on the door and if he answers, they leave without going inside.

I bet I was the first person other than the owner to enter that house in a long, long time.

Thanks for all the help.

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JoeV_2

We are our brothers' keepers. You did the right thing.

I've been around manic depressives and they often don't see or care about what's going on around them. It could be all he needs is an adjustment to his meds and then, as if a bulb was lit, he'll look around wonder how things got to be so bad.

jackchips_2

Well done,

Frank.

Jack

Brad White_9

Frank, I think everyone here

knew you would to the right thing.

While you cannot help someone that does not want it, you at least made known what might otherwise have not been. To a minor point it is out of your hands now, but at a deep level, I suspect you will have an ear cocked in that direction.

I say, "good on you, Frank".

Dave_4

I ran into the same thing a couple of years ago .

We where doing upgrades in a mobil home park and this nice old guy would come out every morning and talk with us, then he would get into his car and leave for the day.

Well , when it came time to do his unit is was the pits.

The toilet hadn't worked in forever and he was using the tub. ( for everything !! )

TV diner trays stacked in the livingroom . and there was just a path throughout the house everywhere.

I called the health department but they wouldn't do anything unless I filed a complaint...

Not sure where it went from there but the health department was contacting his daughter in NY...


Dave in NH

Sheila

good!

Well as you know, I don't know much about the ins and outs of steam heat (although I would venture to say I know more about my steam system than most homeowners at this point) but as I psychologist, I do know something about bipolar disorder (manic depression) and lithium.

You absolutely did the right thing! Aside from the impact that his living conditions could have on his and his neighbors' physical health, the squalor could also be an indicator that his mental health is low. Plus, lithium is a medication that needs to be closely monitored by a psychiatrist and can be very toxic if it isn't being taken appropriately. So, if you had the sense that he's slipped off the radar of his caretakers it is a very good thing to do what's in your power to get him back on the radar screen!

Boilerpro_5

You're a Good man Farank



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Boilerpro_5

You're a Good Man Frank

We all have to watch out for each other sometimes....we're all in this world together and should help each other out.

Boilerpro

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Dean_7

Right Thing

You did the right thing Frank. I worked for the Mich. Dept of Mental Health for 18 years prior to my present job. People suffering from Bipolar disorder, commonly known as manic-depression often live in such conditions. Shelia is exactly right about lithium. Lithium helps stabilize and even out the wide mood swings characteristic of bipolar disorder which make it so difficult to live with and be around someone with this condition. Which is also why people with this condition are often alone. It is a good drug, however it is also highly toxic and needs to be monitored properly. Again you did the right thing. Thanks for caring.