PRELIMINARY-REPORT ON INFORMED CONSENT FOR MENTAL-CAPACITY ASSESSMENTS

The goal of the study was to investigate the issue of informed consent for mental capacity. Seventeen clients referred to the Competency Cli nic at the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care were interviewed after t he assessment had been completed. Their responses to questions regardi ng the reasons for and possible consequences of the assessment indicat ed a range of understanding and of capacity to give informed consent. The results are discussed in terms of the appropriateness of having a fairly low threshold for informed consent in situations where other ca pacities are already in question.