Affiliations: [a] Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA | [b] Parkinson's Disease, Research, Education and Clinical Center (PADRECC), Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA | [c] Alzheimer's Disease Center (ADC), University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Paul J. Moberg, Ph.D., ABPP/CN, Brain-Behavior Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, 10th Floor, Gates Building, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Tel.: +1 215 615-3608; Fax: +1 215 662-7903; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: With our ageing population, the number of older adults with cognitive impairment has also increased. There is both an acute and growing need for evidence-based assessments to identify their decision making capacity and competence. In the present article we (1) present definitions of decision-making capacity and competence, (2) review cognitive functions that are central to decision-making capacity as well as the methods and procedures commonly used to assess these domains, and (3) address the communication of assessment findings to patients and their loved ones. The importance of assessing decision-making capacity in the context of specific functions and of respecting the values and interests of older adults are emphasized.
