title: The role of capacity assessments in elder abuse investigations and guardianships.
abstract: Capacity evaluations of older adults assist in determining whether a situation should be considered elder/dependent adult abuse and which type of intervention is warranted. Capacity evaluations must integrate multiple sources of data and focus on functional abilities. Understanding the legal standard underlying the capacity needed for a specific decision is key in making a clinical opinion relevant in legal settings. Capacity evaluations for guardianships help to identify preserved abilities and make recommendations to enhance decisional and functional capacities that promote the dignity and independence of older adults.
authors.affiliation: Institute on Aging, 3575 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA. Electronic address: falkerika@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Falk
authors.affiliation: Assessment & Psychotherapy, 1330 Lincoln Avenue, Suite 110B, San Rafael, CA 94901, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hoffman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003657:Decision Making; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007872:Legal Guardians / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D012380:Role; D014481:United States; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Capacity assessments; Capacity evaluations; Dementia; Elder abuse and neglect; Guardianships; Incapacity