Custodian for elderly with memory impairment in Sweden - a study of 260 physicians' statements to the court.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In the modern world with new family structures, international migration and increased life expectancy, there is a growing need for legal ways of assisting elderly with impaired mental capacity to decide about their life and assets. There are few studies about the physician's role when a court appoints proxies for vulnerable elderly. Many doctors do not know how to assess mental capacity, and most lawyers and judges know little about medicine.

Methods

Applications for a custodian sent to the Stockholm Chief Guardian' Office in Sweden were used. Physician's statements to the court for elderly with memory impairment were selected and 260 statements were scrutinized with regard to formal quality, the narrative content and the physician who wrote it.

Results

The

SUBMITTER: Bjorksten KS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4161266 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature