Forensic Geropsychology (Hardcover)

In this book, expert researchers and practitioners share essential information about providing mental health services to older adults in forensic contexts, and to the courts and judges involved.

As the U.S. population ages, the needs of older adults will increasingly inform all areas of mental health practice. In coming years, psychologists can expect to play a more prominent role in helping legal decision makers to understand the unique aspects of older adults' cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Clinical providers will have more opportunity to help older adults and their families as they struggle with challenging legal issues such as civil litigation, eligibility for benefits, and incarceration. 

Chapters in this book describe the nuts and bolts of civil litigation as it relates to brain injury, dementia, PTSD, and pain assessment of competency to stand trial and to be executed and the special treatment needs of incarcerated older adults. Also included are chapters on assessing testamentary capacity, assessing older adults pursuing VA benefits, and psychology's role in guardianship and conservatorship decisions.

Shane S. Bush, PhD, ABPP, is director of Long Island Neuropsychology, PC. He is also a neuropsychologist with the Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System, where he participates in the training and supervision of psychology interns and geropsychology postdoctoral fellows. He is board certified in geropsychology, clinical psychology, rehabilitation psychology, and clinical neuropsychology. He is a fellow of APA (Divisions 12, 18, 20, 22, 40, and 42) and past-president and fellow of the National Academy of Neuropsychology. He serves on the board of directors of the American Board of Geropsychology and on the editorial boards of multiple journals, including Clinical Gerontologist and Psychological Injury and Law. He is an adjunct faculty member of the Department of Psychology at the University of Alabama. He has published more than 2 books and journal special issues, as well as numerous articles, position papers, and book chapters related to geropsychology, neuropsychology, and forensic practice. Dr. Bush has presented at national and international conferences on topics related to forensic psychology, geropsychology, and neuropsychology. He is a veteran of both the U.S. Marine Corps and the Naval Reserve.

Andrew L. Heck, PsyD, ABPP, is a clinical geropsychologist and holds dual board certification through the American Board of Professional Psychology in clinical psychology and geropsychology. He is a cofounder of and clinician with GeroPartners, a geriatric behavioral health firm serving long-term care facilities and others in the greater Richmond, Virginia, region. He served as clinical director at Piedmont Geriatric Hospital in Burkeville, Virginia, for several years, after stints as a staff psychologist and chief psychologist. He holds clinical faculty appointments in the departments of gerontology and pharmacy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Heck has briefed the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging about geropsychology training funding issues, and is past president of the board of directors for the Council of Professional Geropsychology Training Programs, an international geropsychology training organization. He also serves on the board of directors for the Kadamba Foundation, a Washington, DC-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of caregivers. His particular areas of professional interest include clinical training and supervision, dementia evaluation, decision-making competency and capacity, behavioral treatment, and ethics in working with older adults.