Families often expect a capacity assessment to be a memory test. Memory is only part of it. The central question is whether a person can make a specific decision.
Capacity means two things
- Understanding. Can the person understand the information that matters for this decision?
- Appreciating. Can they see what is likely to happen as a result of deciding, or not deciding?
Capacity is specific
A person may be able to choose where to live, and yet be unable to manage investments. Capacity can also change over time or with the time of day. That is why a good assessment looks at particular areas of life.
What assessors ask about
- Daily routines and how the person manages
- What they know about their income, bills and property
- Their health conditions and treatments
- What could go wrong, and how they would respond
- Their values and what matters to them
What capacity is not
- It is not a diagnosis.
- It is not a measure of intelligence or education.
- It is not about whether you agree with a decision.
- It is not about speaking English.
Being fair to the person
Hearing, vision, fatigue, grief, culture and language can all make a capable person look less capable. A careful assessor adapts for these. This is why language and setting matter so much.
Sources: Government of Alberta, capacity assessment and the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee. Rules can change, so check the current version or ask a lawyer.