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Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
Assessing decisional capacity in the elderly
Miriam B Rodin1, Supriya G Mohile
1St. Louis University Medical School, St. Louis, MO 63132, USA. mrodin@slu.edu
Abstract:
Elderly cancer patients may differ from younger patients in their preferences for treatment, in decisional style, and in the kinds of information. In addition, both the prevalence of cognitive disorders and risk for delirium in severe illness increase among the elderly. This discussion presents research findings on decisional style in the elderly and on determination of decisional capacity. The legal standard of capacity requires demonstrating understanding, appreciation, reasoning and stating a choice. We present formal screening tools and informal interview techniques for assessment, as well as guidelines for when formal assessment may be helpful.
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