Assessment of Competency and Capacity of the Older Adult: A Practice Guidelinefor Psychologists

摘要

The guideline integrates psychological research, clinical experience, andavailable standards of care in recommending a conceptual framework and procedures to be followed in evaluating and communicating findings about cognition, mental health and specific capacities needed by courts in making competency determinations. In addition to recommending evaluation strategies and test selection, the guidelines identifies important assessment considerations in working with older adults. The guideline addresses the critical issues of sensitivity to individual rights for self determination and autonomy and includes a review of the legal context in which psychological evaluations for competency determination are made.