Dementia in prisons – enabling better care practices for those ageing in correctional facilities

Abstract

The number of older people with dementia who are ‘ageing in place’ in prisons across the world is rapidly increasing. Within the broader prison population these older people are particularly vulnerable to poorer outcomes as a result of inadequate access to appropriate health services. There is an urgent need for occupational therapists to collaborate with prison services to develop evidence-based care practices that provide viable, cost-effective options for prisoners who are ageing with dementia. We identify priorities for research and practice and set out a call for action for occupational therapists worldwide to address this growing need.