by Jay Luxenberg, MD

As clinicians, we are faced with issues revolving around decision-making capacity every day. Capacity is task-specific, so for each task, either consciously or unconsciously we are stating that we believe the decision-maker to understand the nature of the proposed task, the alternatives, the risks and the benefits. The complexity of the task may range from choosing breakfast (usually a low-risk and low-complexity task) to making complicated medical decisions, to giving consent for research.

Next week, Tuesday, 6 September, as a pre-congress meeting prior to the International Psychogeriatric Association Congress at the Hilton in San Francisco, the 3rd International Conference on Capacity: Risky Business and Other Rights will be held from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM. There will talks on some of the most challenging capacity issues in long-term care. There will be a symposium on capacity to consent for sex – that delicate balance between allowing autonomy but protecting dementia patients from predation. There will be a session on allowing patients to remain in potentially dangerous environments, another very common dilemma for those of us caring for frail elderly people. There will be a talk on vulnerability to undue influence. There will be a talk by a lawyer, and an entertaining mock trial addressing capacity to execute financial documents. Lastly, there will be an international panel on determining capacity of aging doctors. Talk about close to home! Visit their website for program details and registration information (Program agenda here) CME is available and registration is available online or at the door – Click here for more information from the IPA organizers.