When the Mind Fails: A Guide to Dealing with Incompetency

William Glassman is a psychology professor at Ryerson University in
Toronto.

Michael Silberfeld and Arthur Fish, a psychiatrist and lawyer,
respectively, are well equipped to address incompetency issues. Both are
associated with the Competency Clinic of a major geriatric centre, and
in this thoughtful and lucid book they have drawn on their own
experiences and those of their colleagues. While not intended as a
self-help guide, the book offers a clear picture of medical, legal,
ethical, and practical concerns. Two minor quibbles: there is no mention
that answers to the cases outlined in Chapter 1 are provided later; and
the many variations in legislation and case law across different
jurisdictions sometimes makes it difficult to offer more than broad
generalizations. Nonetheless, anyone faced with coping with the
incompetency of a loved one would be fortunate to encounter
professionals with the knowledge and compassion demonstrated by
Silberfeld and Fish.