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Institutionalizing a patient suffering from loss of cognitive functions
Question
A 45-old-woman suffers from severe cerebral atrophy, Alzheimer, and had multiple strokes. Her mental age is now between 2.5 or 3 years old at most. She now suffers from urinary incontinence and is even incapable of controlling the amount of food she consumes. On more than one occasion, she consumed large quantities of medicine and carbolic acid for which her family took her to Poison Control Centers several times.
She has 15-year- old female twins whom she has started hitting violently, tearing their hair and the like. Is it considered undutifulness or severing ties of kinship if she is institutionalized? Is it permissible to rent an apartment for her and keep her there where a nurse will care for her and see to her needs?
Answer
If the case is as mentioned in the question, institutionalizing this patient in a hospital or facility specified for treating such cases is not considered undutifulness or severing ties of kinship. There is no objection to isolating her in an apartment where she will receive medical care by a specialized nurse as long as this is in the best interest of the patient and her family. Furthermore, if the medical and behavioral care she will receive are sufficient, then this alternative is better than institutionalizing her.
Allah the Almighty knows best.
