Older
adults sometimes find themselves dealing with medical illness, physical limitation,
and/or social loss not encountered earlier in life. Therefore, psychological problems
of this age group most often involve depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorders.
Sometimes these difficulties develop as a natural reaction to losses or limitations.
However, depression and anxiety can also be associated with medical illnesses,
such as heart disease or diabetes, or can occur as a side effect
of medication.
Our
psychologists are trained to recognize and identify potential causes of psychological
difficulties in older adults and to provide effective treatment in order to improve
the individual’s quality of life.
Dementia
Evaluation
Dementia
is defined as a disturbance in memory functioning and one other area of cognition,
such as language. There are many types of dementia; some are insidious and progressive,
such as Alzheimer's Disease, but some are acquired, such as Dementia due to Head
Injury.
Our
Neuropsychologists perform dementia evaluations to aid in diagnosis and treatment,
maintaining issues of confidentiality and providing interventions when appropriate.
Capacity
And Undue Influence:
As
a person ages and their cognitive skills decline, or when a person becomes disabled,
the question of their capacity to handle their own finances/affairs competently
becomes an issue. In some instances, individuals may not have the capacity to
make a particular decision involving complex information regarding testamentary
instruments or trusts, contracts, or documents appointing agents. In other instances,
their capacity to have executed a document in the past is questioned or litigated.
Complicating the picture is the question of a person's ability to make medical
decisions, authorize the release of personal medical information, or nominate
a conservator. Since all of these issues have legal ramifications, a comprehensive
neuropsychological assessment by a Persona clinician will aid the court and the
parties involved in resolving the questions of capacity and undue influence, by
clarifying whether the individual:
