Decision-making capacity for informed consent in the older population.
K. Christensen, A. Haroun, L. J. Schneiderman and D. V. Jeste,
Bull. Amer. Acad. Psychiatry & the Law
23(3): 353-65, 1995.
We discuss key concepts and review 12 published research studies relevant to informed consent and
decision-making capacity in the older population. The literature suggests that aging is associated
with impaired decision-making capacity; the following additional factors amplify the detrimental
effect of aging: lower vocabulary level, lower educational level, chronic medical illness (as in
nursing home residents), and acute medical illness. Aging may be associated particularly with
impaired comprehension of consent forms. We discuss guidelines for clinicians and researchers for
improving the process of obtaining a truly informed consent. [References: 27]