May 7, 2026
A new paper by Emily A. Largent, JD, PhD, RN, Stephanie R. Morain, PhD, MPH, and Jason Karlawish, MD, offers investigators a practical guide for designing consent processes for research that enrolls older adults who may lack decisional capacity.
Published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, the article presents an eight-step framework to help researchers anticipate and address common ethical and regulatory challenges when developing study-specific consent processes. The guide is intended to support investigators as they write grant applications, prepare protocols for IRB review, and seek consent during the course of research.
Overall, the framework provides a practical roadmap for strengthening consent planning in studies involving older adults who may have impaired decision-making capacity, helping research teams better protect participants while meeting ethical and regulatory obligations.
Access the full journal article, “Designing Consent Processes for Research that Enrolls Older Adults Who May Lack Decisional Capacity: A Practical Guide for Investigators,” in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.