Ethics on Capacity of Client

Heart of America Regional Meeting
Session I
May 1 – 3, 2026
St. Louis, MO

This course explores the ethical challenges involved in assessing diminished decision-making capacity in older adults. It focuses on the central tension between respecting autonomy and ensuring protection, using a practical framework based on four core abilities: understanding, appreciation, reasoning, and the ability to express a choice. Participants will gain practical tools to interpret clinical opinions, recognize ethically sound evaluations, assess risk, and advocate for outcomes that balance protection with the least restrictive alternatives, including supported decision-making and limited guardianship. We will discuss ethical rules and other considerations applicable to attorneys in assessing capacity in clients and dealing with clients who may have diminished capacity.

Speakers: Stephen L. Benson (Psy.D. Wichita, KS), Kent A. Meyerhoff