Neuropsychological Assessment of Mental Capacity

Abstract

The assessment of mental capacity to assist legal determinations of competency is potentially a growth area for neuropsychology, although to date neuropsychologists have published relatively little in this area. In this paper a systematic review of methods used to assess capacity is presented, including coverage of specialized tests and interviews used for this purpose. A neuropsychological model for conducting capacity assessments is proposed. This model involves comprehensive assessment of a wide range of cognitive abilities as well as assessment of specific skills and knowledge related to the type of capacity being assessed. The purpose of proposing this model is to stimulate further discussion and debate about the contribution neuropsychologists might make in this area.

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“…Although some instruments have been more widely adopted than others, there is no gold standard (17)(18)(19)(20). In this article, we critically review existing instruments for assessing capacity, highlighting information about their content, administration, and psychometric properties as well as their strengths and limitations for use in particular contexts.…”

Ethics and aging: focus on living will for patients with dementia

“…7 A proper evaluation, indeed, should not leave aside those cognitive functions known as executive functions, involved in several aspects of daily life. Neuropsychological tests of complex abilities such as attention, memory, frontal functions, language and visuospatial abilities should be incorporated into capacity assessments.…”

Comparing assessments of the decision-making competencies of psychiatric inpatients as provided by physicians, nurses, relatives and an assessment tool

“…In the field of psychiatry, the importance of accurate decision-making competence assessments has been increasingly recognised 1. This has led to discussions regarding who should be charged with making these assessments and how they should be conducted.…”