DECISION MAKING CAPACITY IN OLDER ADULTS FROM AN EDUCATION RESEARCH AND PRACTICE PERSPECTIVE

摘要

Older adults who lack decision making capacity are at risk for negative outcomes including self-neglect, financial exploitation and money scams, and more complex and extended hospital stays (Torke, Sachs, & Heft, 2014). Yet, incapacity is often undetected by providers (Sessums, Zembrzuska, & Jackson, 2011), and even experienced clinicians report desiring more training in this area (Seyfried, Ryan, & Kim, 2013). Recognizing the need to expand knowledge of capacity assessment in older adults, this symposium reflects growing demand for education, training, and research in this specialty area. We begin by focusing on educational initiatives in capacity assessment. Drs. Ludwin and Mlinac will discuss the development of a seminar on capacity assessment for an interdisciplinary audience at the local and national level. Drs. Bamonti and Strong will provide an overview of the development of a decision making capacity training clinic in an outpatient setting and present process data and program improvement recommendations. The next presentations focus on research related to capacity and exploitation. Dr. Lichtenberg will examine the intersection of capacity and financial exploitation through a review of key research and case studies. Drs. Wood and Liu will present research examining factors associated with susceptibility to mass marketing scams in older adults. Finally, Rachel Spalding will review the little-examined practice issues in assessment of sexual capacity in older adults. The discussant, Dr. Jennifer Moye, will synthesize the presentations in the context of the future for capacity assessment related research, practice, and education.