Assessing Financial Capacity Impairment in Older Adults

Healthcare providers will be caring for more patients with financial incapacity as our population ages and as the prevalence of cognitive impairment increases. Providing education about advance financial planning, assessing financial capacity, and offering practical guidance to patients and families who are dealing with financial incapacity are key tasks in the care of older adults with impaired cognition. Providers should also be familiar with experts who can help assess patients' cognition in all domains, including financial capacity. Finally, clinicians must be alert for signs of financial abuse and be prepared to report suspected abuse to the appropriate authorities. Copyright © 2012 American Society on Aging