Abdul Hakeem was dying from AIDS. He had been in a hospice for six weeks during which time social worker/human services worker Anna had worked closely with Abdul. As she helped him prepare for the inevitable, they developed a strong relationship. Anna helped Abdul find an attorney who would prepare his will and also helped him repair his relationship with his father. The father and son had not seen each other for the past six years as both rejected the values of the other. Abdul’s father was hurt and disappointed about his son’s sexual orientation and Abdul was angry at his father’s lack of acceptance. Their reunion had been both tearful and joyful as they realized that this would perhaps be the last time they would see each other alive. As expected, Abdul died a week later and Anna attended the funeral along with Abdul’s father. The father expressed his heartfelt thanks to Anna for caring for his son and for encouraging them to end the estrangement that had kept them apart for so long. Several months following the funeral, Anna received a notice from Abdul’s father that his son included her in his will. Abdul had left his home and car to Anna along with a note stating his satisfaction over the quality of care she provided. He also left various sums of money to the hospice agency and two nurses at the agency. Anna is unsure what to do in this situation. Both the nurses and the agency accepted the money but Anna is struggling with her decision.

1. What would you recommend Anna do in this situation? Ground your recommendation in any applicable section of your profession’s code of Ethics.

2. If Anna refused to accept the bequest, would it be appropriate for her to point out to the nurses and agency director the ethical issues involved in this situation?

3. Identify which social work/human services values are involved in this case. Are any of these values or obligations in conflict with one another?

4. Apply and discuss a concept you have learned in class or from the textbook to this case.