Moral Dillemma: Person W/ Mental Disability Flooding My Apartment

[Beetwasher]

The guy upstairs from me apparently has some sort of mental disability. I feel bad for the guy, but he keeps forgetting to turn of his water faucets and floods his apartment, which in turn, damages my apartment (a clear cut case of negligence). I complained to the management company (it's a coop) and if it keeps happening, they are going to terminate his propietary lease (IOW, kick him out of the building). I don't necessarily want this to happen, I feel bad for the guy, but what am I supposed to do?

I'm thinking of suggesting alternatives, like suggesting that he invest in flood proof sinks etc. :shrug: Any thoughts?

[cruadin]

1. Or moving him to a first floor apartment, maybe?

[Beetwasher]

2. It's A Coop, He Bought His Apartment

It's not that simple, unfortunately...And he would still be damaging the building w/ the flooding. It brings the value of everyone's apartments down to have water damage to the building.

[cruadin]

6. Too bad---unfortunately there may not be a pain-free way...

to resolve a situation like this.

[trotsky]

3. Sorry but he is endangering himself and others.

What if he forgets to unplug something, etc.? He may need to be in an assisted living facility.

[bleedingheart]

7. I agree, he may need more help

my husband's grandmother would leave faucets running and ovens running for hours...it took some doing but the family had her placed in a home where she was able to be care for properly.

[Beetwasher]

8. True

Still feel bad about it though...I know he has a job, so he's at least responsible enought to work...He just can't seem to remember to turn off his damn faucets!

[trotsky]

15. Oh it would bother me too, no doubt.

But forgetfulness in turning off the taps could easily mean other problems, more deadly problems. If he has a disability he can probably qualify for assistance to pay for an assisted living apartment.

[Spinzonner]

4. How about installing faucets

that automatically shut off if you removed your hand from them ,like some used in public restrooms.

Yeah, it'd be a problem with tub or shower.

Maybe a web search for assistive devices or support organizations might be useful.

Or checking with a high-end or speciallty plumbing outfit.

trying to kick him out - the problems not withstanding - might run up problems with the ADA.

Also on edit:

THere are water alarms that can be connected to home security systems (used in computer rooms and other places). Yeah, its after the fact but could get his attention before it gets to be a major spill.

[Beetwasher]

11. Something I'll Suggest

n/t

[MattBaggins]

14. Like medicine your treating symptoms not the disease

Installing automatic water faucets is only one of many problems as mentioned by another poster talking about a grandmother leaving the stove on. If this individual can not remember the faucets how long till he leaves the oven on or the car running. What if he forgets what a red light means? This individual may really need professional help for his good and others.

[Spinzonner]

16. Perhaps you're right

perhaps you're not

It's all a continuum.

I doubt the coop has the authority to treat the disease. It does have the authority and responsibility to deal with the symptoms in this case. And the ADA is an open question in how it reacts.

One question is how he managed to get into a coop with some mental defecits. It's not exactly a trivial issue in many cases. Is there some other responsible party that's involved ?

[supernova]

5. Have the coop install sensor faucets in his apt

Can they find sensor faucets for residential use like they have in public restrooms? The faucet only runs while you have your hands under it. Once you stop, the water stops.

edit: I echo another poster that I hope the water (bad as THAT is) is all he's forgetting. .... like the stove, perhaps?

[Junkdrawer]

9. My brother lives in a group home...

Before I reengaged, he was floundering in an "independent living" arrangement. It took 8 months of advocacy with two advocacy groups to get the county to move him to more a appropriate living arrangement. He's much happier now.

In short, even as his brother, it was not easy.

[benburch]

10. He needs a water sensor alarm near his tub and sinks.

http://www.wateralert.com/water.htm

They are inexpensive. Maybe you ought to buy him a couple?

I did some looking, and similar models are around $13.

[Beetwasher]

12. Thanks!

n/t

[benburch]

13. Least I could do.

My wife is a social worker, and works with such people, so I've thought about this sort of issue before.

[KamaAina]

17. Sounds like the guy could use some independent living skills

Your friendly (usually) local Center for Independent Living offers training in these sorts of life skills. With over 450 across America, there's bound to be one near you:

http://www.ilru.org/jump1.htm

And best of all, services are absolutely FREE to anyone with any permanent disability.

The preceding has been an unpaid noncommercial announcement from a 3+ year CIL employee...