title: Health-related research on older inmates: an integrative review.
abstract: The literature on older inmates' health is fragmented and insufficiently developed. In this integrative review, 21 research articles on health and older inmates were identified, critiqued, and synthesized to determine: the minimum age criterion most commonly used; health-related variables explored; health status; the health impact of incarceration; and aging-specific policies, programs, and facilities. Age 50 and older was used most often. The top three health variables were psychiatric conditions, physical illnesses, and substance abuse. Self-reports of health status varied across studies; however, inmates consistently reported health declines since incarceration. Older inmates' health needs appear often to be left unmet. Nursing investigations are needed leading to practice innovations to enhance prisoners' self-management to reduce disease burden and fiscal and societal costs.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, College of Health & Human Development and Department of Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, PA 16802, USA.
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Loeb
authors.forename: Azza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abudagga
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015706:Bibliometrics; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003625:Data Collection; D005544:Forecasting; D006291:Health Policy; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011330:Prisons / Q000458:organization & administration; D012106:Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012107:Research Design