BackAssistance from the Center for Forensic & Clinical Psychology
Article submitted by Dr. Richard F. Spiegle of the Center for Forensic & Clinical Psychology. The Center for Forensic & Clinical Psychology is an invaluable resource in the field of Elder Care in the state of Colorado. The director of the Center, Dr. Richard F. Spiegle, has been providing psychological services in the Denver metropolitan area (and beyond) for over 25 years. He can be reached at 303-837-0776 or visit his website at www.ForensicAndClinicalPsychology.com.
How can the Center for Forensic & Clinical Psychology be of assistance to you?
A steadily increasing number of professionals are seeking expert consultation about the evolving psycholegal matters in the area of elder law and elder care. Likewise, concerned family members frequently have questions about how to ensure the best possible care for an aging parent or family member. Uncertainty in terms of a person's ability to live independently and function safely on a day-to-day basis (i.e., adequate nutrition, or the ability to consistently take prescribed medications), as well as one's ability to manage their own finances and affairs without being exploited, or even their ability to write a valid will, are only a few of the multitude of inquiries made by elder care providers and family members today. Professionals in the legal realm are often asked to render an opinion or make a determination about the functional abilities and legal capacities of their clients in the context of a legal proceeding, such as a guardianship or conservatorship petition.
At The Center for Forensic & Clinical Psychology, our highly qualified staff of psychologists and Clinical Associates is committed to providing expert evaluation and consultation. A unique aspect of our services is that we specialize in evaluations that are customized to each client's specific needs. Our staff is well aware of both the medical and psychological aspects of aging. Moreover, we are knowledgeable of the psychological and legal issues involved in evaluating functional capacities, also referred to as Activities of Daily Living. We have refined an approach to evaluation that is based upon a variety of strategies that may include: clinical interviews, collateral interviews, review of medical records, diagnostic assessment, behavioral observation, and state-of-the-art standardized psychological tests. Our evaluations render a written report of the results and include recommendations regarding the level of care needed to protect the individual's safety, best interests, and their personal integrity. The report is also specifically designed to be useful to physicians, attorneys, as well as other providers and family members. Moreover, given that our evaluation procedures comply with statutory requirements, the reports are also often intended to be used in legal proceedings as well.
Although most of our referrals for evaluation are initiated due to concerns regarding various types of decline associated with aging, many of our referrals for psychological evaluations of functional capacities are prompted by disabilities caused by catastrophic illness or injury. In our evaluations, the individual's strengths as well as weakness in areas of function are addressed, as well as the environmental factors that are pertinent. We consider appropriate assistive or rehabilitative strategies that may improve function or ability to live as independently as possible, and we consider the alternative living arrangements that might be in the individual's best interests. While evaluation often includes a screening assessment of neurocognitive functioning, the evaluation of functional capacities is distinctly different from a full neuropsychological testing battery. Our evaluations focus on the individual's functional capacities, their capabilities to manage their activities of daily living, and their abilities to enjoy their lives.
Our overall goal is to provide our clients with the best possible service, at the highest level of professionalism and cost-effectiveness. We have designed a smooth referral process and a streamlined evaluation protocol. Consequently, we place a high priority on appointment availability, an affordable fee schedule, responsiveness to time constraints, and flexibility in accommodating circumstances that require travel or court appearance.
Our fee schedule comprises service packages with set fees, rather than traditional hourly rates. The levels of evaluation can accommodate each client's unique circumstances, as they represent increasing degrees of complexity concerning referral issues, sources of information (e.g., medical records), extent of testing needed, and level of detail needed in the report. We offer an initial complimentary consultation, and are pleased to answer any questions you may have. Please call the Center for additional information on our services or to arrange a complimentary telephone consultation.
The Center for Forensic & Clinical Psychology can be reached at 303-837-0776. Their office is located at 600 S. Cherry Street #315, Denver Colorado 80246.