Misdiagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease: Case Studies in Capacity Assessment

Abstract

The intense focus on Alzheimer's disease has led even experienced practitioners to misdiagnose older adults' cognitive impairment as Alzheimer's. The impact of misdiagnosis may be greatest in cases of capacity, especially conservatorship and testamentary capacity. Two case examples are presented, with an emphasis on diagnostic issues and the importance of accurate diagnosis in light of increasing cases of cognitive dysfunction in older adults. In the first case, issues of delirium and frailty were misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's disease, while in the second case, overreliance on family report and a lack of cultural competency caused a woman with mild cognitive impairment (executive functioning type) to be diagnosed with moderate Alzheimer's disease. As the older adult population grows, clinical gerontologists will continue to be called on to assess capacity, and accurate diagnosis is essential for accurate assessment.