AN ALTERNATIVE CONCEPTUALIZATION OF INFORMED CONSENT WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE ELDERLY

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Abstract
The current conceptualization of informed consent has been problematic with elderly people. One of the primary difficulties has been the presumption that a single approach is optimal for all people. Research has shown that not all people optimally acquire information following a single approach. Elderly people, particularly those in long‐term care, need adaptations for such acquisition. An alternative conceptualization of consent that follows how people process information is needed. This alternative allows for the individual determination of which adaptations are required for understanding to occur. Only through such an approach will the ability of elderly people to participate in research and treatment decision‐making be optimized. Some of the research discussed in this article was supported by grants from the Retirement Research Foundation and the Anna and Harry Borun Foundation. Dr. Tymchuk extends his appreciation to Joseph G. Ouslander, M.D., Medical Director, Jewish Homes for the Aging of Greater Los Angeles, Victory Village, for his comments on this article.

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