SURROGATE DECISION-MAKING - WHO WILL MAKE DECISIONS FOR ME WHEN I CANT

With increased prevalence of chronic and long-term diseases that cause cognitive impairment among elderly patients, surrogate decision makin g for those who once had decisional capacity is rapidly becoming a spe cial concern. This article considers guidelines and standards for asse ssing decision-making capacity/incapacity and discusses the issues of who should serve as surrogate decision makers. Empirical evidence is p resented showing that the elderly prefer family members to act as surr ogates, according to the good faith character of trusted interdependen cies.