If one considers both Mrs. Smith and her son as clients, there is a conflict of interest and a question arises as to whom the social worker has primary responsibility. Older people are often the victims of ageist beliefs and practices, especially in the American culture, which is youth oriented. One characteristic of ageist discrimination is that often behavior of older people is seen as indicative of growing physical and mental infirmity. This in turn is used to question their competency to make independent decisions. The curtain fire incident is serious in that not only is Mrs. Smith's safety an issue, but so is the safety of others in her building.
Social workers have a responsibility to society as well as to their individual clients.
Yet, we wonder if Mrs. Smith were 51 instead of 81, would this curtain fire incident have been used to suggest that she could not continue to live independently in the community. This suggests that the social worker should promote the right of Mrs. Smith to self determine where she should live. Even though self determination is a basic principle in social work practice, all practitioners know that there are situations in which the client should not be given the right to self determine. Common exceptions to clients' right to self determine include suicide intent, homicidal intent, or child abuse. One can ask if allowing Mrs. Smith to self determine about living independently places either herself or others at risk.