Chapter 15 - THE CAPACITY EVALUATIONMom underwent a new neuropsychological assessment.
Independent evaluator.
No one selected by Andrew or me.
Results:
Mild cognitive impairment.
Not major dementia.
Weak delayed recall.
Slower processing speed.
Anxiety affecting performance.
Executive reasoning largely preserved.
Strong understanding of finances when information was presented clearly.
Good appreciation of consequences.
Capable of expressing consistent preferences.
Medication inconsistency and sleep disruption likely worsened symptoms.
In plain English:
Mom had real memory problems.
She was not incapable of managing her entire life.
She needed support.
Not replacement.
Judge Markham later said:
“Capacity is task-specific.”
That became our family’s new vocabulary.
Mom agreed to:
Automatic bill payment.
Independent investment adviser.
Locked medication dispenser.
Twice-weekly nursing.
Driving retirement.
Quarterly cognitive follow-up.
She refused a guardian.
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The medical evidence supported her.
The guardianship petition began to collapse even before Andrew’s identity mystery was solved.
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