MY 7-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER RAN BAREFOOT THROUGH THE WOODS CARRYING HER BABY BROTHER—THEN SHE CRIED, “GRANDPA CHASED US!”
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Chapter 13 / 15
Chapter 13 - THE DIAGNOSIS THAT WASN'T SIMPLE
Curtis did not have advanced dementia.
That surprised everyone.
Neuropsychological testing showed:
mild cognitive impairment,
executive-function weakness,
worsened by medication effects,
sleep disruption,
grief,
and diabetes instability.
He could still:
choose meals,
manage ordinary purchases,
decide where to live,
understand many contracts with support.
But complex high-stakes transactions required:
independent explanation,
time,
repeat-back testing,
and no sedating medication effect.
Capacity was task-specific.
Not:
competent or incompetent.
That complexity changed the case.
Curtis was not a helpless old man.
Nathan could not simply say:
Dad signed, so done.
Rachel could not simply say:
May you like
Dad’s confused, so I decide everything.
The solution needed structure.
