Health-related research on older inmates: an integrative review.
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.
Loeb
Susan J
SJ
School of Nursing, College of Health & Human Development and Department of Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, PA 16802, USA.
Abudagga
Azza
A
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