If you are like most physicians who treat elderly people, you encounter patients for whom you have concerns about mental status or ability to function safely on a day-to-day basis.
You may be concerned about a particular area of functioning, such as self-care, safety in the home, adequate nutrition, or ability to consistently take medications that you have prescribed.
Perhaps you encounter patients who complain to you that family members are pushing for assisted living or a nursing home against their wishes. More frequently, you are likely to be contacted by family, friends, or caretakers who are concerned about these issues in regard to a loved one whom you are treating in your practice. You may be asked to render an opinion about the functional ability, or competence, of one of your patients in the context of a legal proceeding, such as a guardianship or conservatorship petition.
You may find that you have neither the time nor the means to fully address these issues despite your recognition of their importance and your intention to provide the highest quality medical care to your patients.
You are not alone in struggling with the realization that you cannot realistically provide the kind of assessment that is required, despite your best intentions. However, when you come to the decision that a formal evaluation of functional ability may be the best course of action, then you are faced with the challenge of finding a qualified specialist, such as a psychologist, to whom you can confidently refer your patients.
How We Can Help You…
At the Center for Forensic & Clinical Psychology, our highly qualified staff of psychologists and clinical associates can assist you with this challenging aspect of your work, and we welcome the opportunity to do so. We recognize that your priority is to provide the very best medical care to your patients.
Consequently, our commitment is to support you in that effort by providing expert consultation and evaluation. A unique aspect of our services is that we specialize in evaluations that are customized to your client’s specific needs.
Our psychology staff is knowledgeable of both the medical and psychological aspects of aging.
Likewise, our staff is knowledgeable of the legal issues involved in evaluating functional ability.
We have constructed an approach to evaluation that is based upon a variety of strategies which may include:
- Clinical interviews
- Collateral interviews
- Review of medical records
- Diagnostic assessment
- Behavioral observation
- State-of-the-art standardized psychological tests of demonstrated validity
The evaluation process is concluded with a written report of the results and any pertinent recommendations.
The report is specifically designed to be useful to you, the physician, with regard to treatment planning for your patients and their families. Since our evaluation procedures comply with statutory requirements, the reports are useful in legal proceedings as well.
Our Evaluation Process…
Although referrals for evaluation are typically made in response to concerns associated with aging…psychological evaluation of functional ability can be helpful when concerns arise from disability, catastrophic illness, or injury.
The emphasis of the evaluation is to provide a clear picture of the individual’s functioning in his or her present environment, taking situational demands into account. Strengths and limitations in areas of function are addressed.
Any environmental factors that may be contributing to dysfunction are explored. Possible assistive or rehabilitative strategies that may improve function or ability to live independently and consideration of alternative living arrangements are considered.
While evaluation often includes a screening assessment of neurocognitive functioning, the evaluation of functional ability, or competence, is distinct from a full neuropsychological testing battery, with which you are probably familiar.
In our opinion, the evaluation of functional abilities relevant to an individual’s specific current environment and specific life demands provides a more valid basis for treatment planning.
We place great emphasis on performing evaluations of functional ability within a framework that respects and addresses the client’s personal history, values, dignity, and individual perspective on his or her needs. With regard to issues of practicality, we have designed a smooth referral process and a streamlined evaluation protocol, so that you can more fully focus on the issues that require your medical expertise. We place a high priority on appointment availability, an affordable fee schedule, responsiveness to time constraints, and flexibility in accommodating circumstances that require travel or court appearance.
Call us today at 303-837-0776 to arrange a free 30-minute consultation. We are also available to schedule a brief meeting at your office, at your invitation, with you and/or your staff to introduce ourselves, provide information, and answer any questions you may have.
NEXT: Read about our services for Physicians Working with Geriatric Patients
