1. Assessing capacity in suspected cases of self-neglect.
- Author
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Naik, Aanand D., Lai, James M., Kunik, Mark E., and Dyer, Carmel B.
- Subjects
SELF-neglect ,MENTAL health of older people ,GERIATRIC psychology ,DECISION making in old age ,HEALTH behavior - Abstract
Self-neglect is a serious and burgeoning public health challenge representing the most common problem faced by Adult Protective Services agencies. Among older adults who are vulnerable to self-neglect, the capacity to make decisions may remain intact. However, the capacity to identify and extract oneself from harmful situations, circumstances, or relationships may be diminished. A key ethical and clinical branch point in identifying older adults at risk for self-neglect involves determining whether the individual can both make and implement decisions regarding personal needs, health, and safety. The Articulate →Demonstrate method is a practical and efficient way to screen capacity in the setting of suspected self-neglect. Once self-neglect has been identified, common clinical interventions can be targeted to the diagnosed deficits that foster vulnerability to neglect in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2008