Ethics in Working with Older Adults Who Hoard
While hoarding is a serious compulsive behavioral problem impacting the health and safety of older adults, the condition is highly resistant to treatment. Because of this, complex ethical dilemmas often arise when working with seniors who hoard and their family members. This ethics program applies the professional Code of Ethics as it relates to decisional older adults who hoard as well as those with cognitive impairment.
Date of original program: 2.6.2023
Joanna Frankel is a graduate of Towson University with her Bachelors in both Psychology and Gerontology. Following, Joanna obtained her MSW from the University of Maryland School of Social Work with a clinical concentration and a focus in Aging. Since, Joanna has been working in the long-term care setting for over 15 years. Her experience includes directing the social work department in a 205-bed facility, with clients who have a variety of mental health issues, long term care needs, at end of life, on dialysis and who are ventilator dependent. Additionally, Joanna is passionate about and has expertise in dementia, advance directives/end of life and mental health issues in the elderly. Furthermore, she has spent the last 10 years consulting in several nursing homes, educating social workers on the proper practices of long-term care while providing clinical supervision. Joanna has always educated interdisciplinary teams, patients and families on various topics on aging. When Joanna isn’t working, you can find her playing ball with her husband and 2 boys or at the nearest sushi restaurant.