title: Clinical and demographic characteristics of elderly offenders at a maximum-security forensic hospital.
abstract: The purpose of the study was to determine the clinical and demographic characteristics of the male elderly offenders admitted to a maximum-security forensic hospital. Charts of male elderly patients were reviewed to obtain clinical and demographic data. Seventy-seven percent of geriatric felons were involved in violent crime, 41% of which had psychotic symptoms. Forty-five percent of offenders with a history of head trauma/neurologic disorder were charged with violent offenses. Fifty-nine percent had previous psychiatric hospitalization. Most elderly male offenders involved in violent crimes had primary psychotic and mood disorders, cognitive impairment, and a history of head trauma/neurologic disorder. The small number of subjects precludes clear conclusions and needs further study.
authors: Dr. G.B. Cross Memorial Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Clarenville, NF, Canada.
authors: M G
authors: MG
authors: Rayel
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000523:psychology; D003710:Demography; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000523:psychology; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology*; D014754:Violence