Capacity Assessment Services
Compassionate expert evaluations tailored to legal and personal care needs.
Expert reviews for complex cases.
Specialized assessments for legal compliance.
Clear documentation for dispute resolution.
RCM Certified Assessors:
The Trusted Choice in Canada
With a fast-aging population, investment advisors, brokers, insurers, estate lawyers, and family offices face growing demand for capacity testing for senior family members.
At RCM Health Consultancy, we have extensive experience in this area. Our team of specialized, certified assessors provides expertise in property, medical, long-term placement, and personal care assessments, addressing both legal requirements and family concerns with professionalism and compassion.
We ensure accurate documentation, retrospective reviews, and access to updated assessments to resolve capacity-related disputes efficiently.
Clear, Comprehensive, Capacity Assessments
Here are the Next Steps.
Our assessors are often introduced early to normalize assessments, identify red flags, and support lawyers or advisors in confirming an individual’s capability to complete a specific transaction.
For legal determination of a person’s capacity regarding property and personal care decisions, our qualified assessors strictly follow all relevant legislative guidelines and complete the necessary capacity assessment forms. We ensure compliance with FIPPA.
Initial Consultation
Our assessors review medical history, legal documents, and relevant information to understand the individual’s circumstances and determine the appropriate capacity test for their specific needs.
Comprehensive Assessment
Through interviews and standardized tests, we evaluate cognitive function, decision-making ability, and situational factors, ensuring a thorough and legally compliant assessment of the individual’s capacity.
Documentation & Reporting
Findings are documented in a formal report, outlining conclusions and supporting evidence. We collaborate with legal advisors to ensure clarity and compliance with all relevant guidelines.
Certified & Specialized Assessors
Assessments handled with compassion and expertise.
Words From Our CEO:
We resolve capacity related challenges.
A critical question is always “Is my client capable of making independent decisions?” The answer can change quickly. A person’s capacity may fluctuate over time and vary depending on different tasks and situations.
For this reason, a clear chronology of when assessments took place is essential for legal protection. To facilitate the process and preempt challenges, RCM’s capacity assessors document all steps, ensuring transparency. We also locate recent capacity assessments when needed and review medical evidence retrospectively to determine past decision-making capacity.
This approach provides a reliable foundation for assessing an individual’s ability to make informed choices at any given time.
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Common Questions About Capacity Assessments
What is a capacity assessment, and why is it important?
A capacity assessment evaluates an individual's ability to make informed decisions regarding financial, legal, and personal matters. It is essential for protecting vulnerable individuals and ensuring decisions are made in their best interests.
How do I know if a capacity assessment is needed?
A capacity assessment may be required if there are concerns about a person’s ability to understand, evaluate, or communicate decisions. Common scenarios include changes in cognitive function, legal disputes, or financial management concerns.
What happens if there is a family conflict regarding a loved one’s capacity?
Family conflicts over capacity decisions are common, especially in legal, financial, or healthcare matters. RCM Health provides objective, professionally conducted capacity assessments and clear documentation to help resolve disputes.
Where necessary, we also have access to leading family mediation and estate advisors to support families in reaching fair and informed resolutions.
Who conducts a capacity assessment?
RCM Health’s capacity assessments are performed by experienced professionals with expertise in medical, legal, and cognitive evaluations. Our assessors work closely with families and legal advisors to ensure thorough documentation and accuracy.
Can capacity change over time?
Yes, an individual's capacity can fluctuate due to medical conditions, medication effects, or situational factors. That’s why having a clear record of assessments over time is crucial for legal and financial decision-making.
What are the methods used in capacity assessment?
RCM Health Consultancy's capacity assessment methods include structured clinical interviews, standardized assessment tools, cognitive testing, observation of functional abilities, review of medical records and history, and consultation with family members and caregivers. Our assessors use multiple methods depending on the complexity of the case and the specific decision being evaluated, always ensuring the approach is tailored to the individual's needs and circumstances.
What types of capacity can be assessed?
RCM Health assesses various types of capacity including financial capacity (managing money and making financial decisions), medical capacity (understanding treatment options), testamentary capacity (making or changing a will), and capacity for personal care decisions (housing, safety, daily activities). Each type requires specific evaluation criteria and follows relevant legislative guidelines.
How long does a capacity assessment take to complete?
A comprehensive capacity assessment typically takes 2-4 hours and may require multiple sessions depending on the complexity of the case. The process includes interviews, cognitive testing, and review of medical records. RCM Health's final reports are usually completed within 5-7 business days after the assessment is finished.
What happens in emergency situations when capacity needs to be assessed urgently?
In urgent situations where immediate decisions are required, RCM Health Consultancy can provide expedited assessments within 24-48 hours when possible. Emergency assessments focus on the immediate decision at hand while ensuring all legal requirements are met. We work closely with healthcare providers, legal representatives, and families to ensure urgent capacity questions are addressed promptly.
What's the difference between capacity and competency assessments?
Capacity refers to a person's ability to make specific decisions at a particular time, while competency is a legal determination made by courts. Capacity assessments evaluate decision-making ability for specific situations and can change over time, whereas competency determinations are broader legal findings that may affect a person's overall legal rights.
Are capacity assessments legally binding?
Capacity assessments provide professional opinions that courts and other legal entities consider when making decisions, but they are not automatically legally binding. However, RCM Health's assessments follow strict legislative guidelines and are prepared to withstand legal scrutiny in disputes or guardianship proceedings.
What does a capacity assessment cost and what payment options are available?
Assessment costs vary depending on the complexity of the case, type of report required, and whether multiple sessions are needed. RCM Health Consultancy provides transparent pricing upfront and works with families to find suitable payment arrangements. Our fees typically include preparation time, the assessment itself, travel costs, and a comprehensive report. Contact RCM Health for a detailed quote based on your specific needs.
Can capacity assessments be conducted remotely or must they be in-person?
RCM Health offers both in-person and remote assessment options depending on the circumstances and type of decision being evaluated. While face-to-face assessments are often preferred for complex cases, remote assessments via secure video platforms can be appropriate in many situations, especially when travel is difficult or safety concerns exist.
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