Abstract
In Chile, 7.1% of people aged over 60 years have some type of cognitive disorder. The frequency of the latter increases to 13% in people between 75-79 years and 36.2% in people over 85 years. The concept of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia have evolved over time. The 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) uses the term minor and major neurocognitive disorder, replacing the DCL and dementia respectively. Major cognitive disorder impairs functional performance while minor disorders does not. There is an arbitrary discrimination against the elderly. A form of discrimination is the request made by some notaries of a medical certification of the cognitive function for older people willing to carry out a legal procedure. This request has the sole effect of pre-establishing evidence in favor of the notary and not protecting the testator or the vulnerable person. Assessing the ability of older people to care for themselves and their possessions has important implications for them and their families, since there is a serious risk of prejudice when someone is declared as disabled. Thus, considering the epidemiology of cognitive disorders in our country we propose a series of legal and medical discussion points aimed to protect autonomy and to protect individuals and their possessions when they have difficulties to control their decisions.
Highlights
In Chile, 7.1% of people aged over 60 years have some type of cognitive disorder
Considering the epidemiology of cognitive disorders in our country we propose a series of legal and medical discussion points aimed to protect autonomy and to protect individuals and their possessions when they have difficulties to control their decisions
Evaluating Competencies-Forensic Assessments and Instruments, vol 16 of Perspectives in Law & Psychology, Springer Science & Business Media, New York, NY, USA, 2nd edition, 2003
Summary
In Chile, 7.1% of people aged over 60 years have some type of cognitive disorder. The frequency of the latter increases to 13% in people between 75-79 years and 36.2% in people over 85 years. A form of discrimination is the request made by some notaries of a medical certification of the cognitive function for older people willing to carry out a legal procedure. This request has the sole effect of pre-establishing evidence in favor of the notary and not protecting the testator or the vulnerable person. Un ejemplo de esta situación es la solicitud que hacen algunas notarías de certificados médicos que acrediten la capacidad cognitiva de las PM que desean realizar algún trámite legal, por el sólo hecho de tener una cierta cantidad de años. El objetivo de esta revisión es analizar aspectos médico-legales frente al problema que enfrentan las PM sin diagnóstico previo de deterioro cognitivo en algunas notarías del país y proponer medidas médicas y legales para una correcta evaluación y además delimitando el ámbito legal con el fin de proteger a las PM de posibles abusos económico-legales
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