Abstract
The aim of this paper is to increase awareness and highlight the need for prisoner’s
early identification of dementia and recommend support strategies within the Australian
correctional setting. The number of older people is increasing within the correctional
setting, causing a corresponding increase in the number of prisoners with dementia.
These older prisoners are at greater risk of developing cognitive impairment and dementia
which increases their vulnerability in the correctional environment including their
interactions with both correctional services staff and other prisoners. Correctional
settings have not been designed for older prisoners or those with dementia, which
poses problems for physical and psychological health. People who have encounters with
the criminal justice system are generally in poorer physical and mental health than
the general population. Identifying dementia in the early stages provides opportunities
to initiate strategies and supports to slow the progression. However being incarcerated
increases the likelihood of not being identified with dementia until the later stages
of the disease process, which significantly reduces opportunities for early intervention.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 02, 2017
Accepted:
May 17,
2017
Received:
January 18,
2017
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Australian College of Nursing Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
