Expanding nurse practitioners' role in capacity evaluation

California's aging population faces growing risks of elder abuse, delayed evaluations, and unmet care needs due to restrictive regulations and inconsistent physician availability for capacity assessments. By presenting evidence of these gaps, this writing aims to raise awareness among policymakers, health care leaders, and nursing professionals and to support future efforts that inform advocacy, stakeholder dialogue, and policy development. Drawing on public-domain data, demographic reports, statewide projections, and insights from interdisciplinary professionals, including social workers, care providers, and legal practitioners, the analysis examines existing workflow challenges and the practical consequences of limited involvement by nurse practitioners (NPs). States that have broadened NP authority have seen measurable improvements, including shorter evaluation wait times, reduced administrative delays, enhanced coordination across care systems, and increased access to services in medically underserved areas. These outcomes suggest that a tailored approach for California could yield similar benefits. Evidence of unmet needs among California's older adults, combined with positive results in other states, indicates strong potential to expand NP roles in conservatorship and capacity assessment. However, developing conclusive recommendations will require additional research, including targeted surveys to identify specific needs and further analysis of states' implementation outcomes. Any proposed solution must be data driven and aligned with California's demographic patterns, health care infrastructure, and legal frameworks. Ultimately, efficient and equitable capacity assessment is essential to protecting older adults' rights and ensuring timely access to care. Expanding NP authority is a promising strategy to improve these outcomes in California.