Changes in Decision-Making Capacity in Older Adults : Assessment and Intervention

"This is essential reading for practitioners, caregivers, and those of us who assist older adults. But more importantly, it is essential reading for the general public who need to know more about aging and decision-making capacity." -Norman Abeles, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Michigan State University and past president, American Psychological Association Vital guidance for caregivers, families, and those who counsel them on assessing and adjusting to changes in the mental capacities of older adults In this informative guide, editors Sara Qualls and Michael Smyer have brought together a notable team of international contributors to produce a unique framework of the legal, social, and psychological approaches to assessing the ability of older adults to make decisions. Part of the Wiley Series in Clinical Geropsychology, Changes in Decision-Making Capacity in Older Adults: Assessment and Intervention familiarizes clinicians with the legal and social contexts for decision making in potentially impaired individuals. Readers are provided with direction and guidance on the advanced skills necessary to assess and treat individuals and families facing these life-altering changes in mental capacity. Thorough and up to date, this important book responds to the growing need to equip professionals with the information they need to efficiently communicate their expertise to lawyers, judges, physicians, and family members.

Sara H. Qualls, PhD, is a clinical psychology faculty member at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. She has twenty years of academic, clinical, and continuing education training experience. She developed the first geropsychology doctoral program that integrates a geriatric mental health curriculum with clinical training and research training, and is the cochair of the Adult Development and Aging Division of the American Psychological Association.

Michael A. Smyer, PhD, is the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Boston College and directs their Center on Aging and Work. He conducts research on mental health and aging, particularly the design, implementation, and evaluation of health-related interventions for older adults.