I"m not suggesting anyone violate 250.114.

But would installing a gfci recep for a refrige or window ac unit in the case of an older home with 2 wire romex not be better than the "adapters" I usually see?

I find these 2 to 3 wire adapters in older homes all the time. Refridge's and ac units are routinely plugged in to them.

In the case of elderly folks on a fixed income,faced with a major expense,(for them) would some protection not be better than none from a practical standpoint?

Russell