Unit 6 Elderly Inmates PDF

Unit 6 Elderly Inmates Lesson 1 Elderly Inmates Lesson Goal You will be able to monitor an elderly inmate who may have health issues, physical limita- tions, or mental health issues. Think About This The number of elderly inmates in the state prison system has increased steadily. According t...

Unit 6 Elderly Inmates Lesson 1 Elderly Inmates Lesson Goal You will be able to monitor an elderly inmate who may have health issues, physical limita- tions, or mental health issues. Think About This The number of elderly inmates in the state prison system has increased steadily. According to the Florida Department of Corrections 2021–2022 Annual Report, elderly inmates represented 28.7% of the total inmate population. This emphasizes why it is important that you know how to recog- nize when an elderly inmate cannot perform the daily activities for living and how to monitor and communicate with an elderly inmate who may have health issues, physical limitations, or mental health issues. Characteristics At some time in your career as a correctional officer, you will likely interact with older inmates. This will require you to be aware of the special needs of elderly inmates to make sure that you monitor them appropriately. Understanding the aging process and the characteristics of the elderly popu- lation will help you relate in a positive and effective manner. ✅ CO761.1. Know the characteristics of an elderly inmate Elderly inmates are 50 years of age and over; however, elderly inmates’ life experiences before and while in prison can contribute to a lower life expectancy. Almost every elderly inmate experiences normal physical and physiological changes and can develop certain medical conditions. They may experience changes in their eyesight and hearing. These changes may limit an inmate’s mobility, increase the likelihood of accidents, or lead to fear, isolation, and victimization by other inmates. Older inmates may also experience a change in their sense of touch. Damage to nerves may make them less likely to feel surface pain and less likely to notice injuries. They are more prone to rips, tears, and bruising to their skin from everyday activities. They are more likely to suffer loss of balance, which increases the risk of falls. Because older people often experience an increased sensitivity to weather, they are more susceptible to heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and hypothermia. Another result of aging is the loss of muscle flexibility and strength, which makes performing daily tasks more difficult. Joints may stiffen due to arthritis, making movement extremely painful. Older inmates may also lose some cognitive ability, which is the ability to think, learn, and remem- ber. They may experience slowness in thinking, finding the right words, or identifying objects. Be 234 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO): Volume 1 patient when supervising elderly inmates, as it may take them longer to explain themselves than younger inmates. Health Issues ✅ CO761.2. Know the health issues that elderly inmates may experience Some elderly inmates have chronic medical conditions, such as incontinence, bedsores, and dehy- dration. Elderly inmates may also experience a variety of mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. Depression and anxiety can cause great suffering and lead to impaired functioning in daily life. Some inmates will suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and require long-term management or care. Dementia and Alzheimer’s are progressive mental disorders characterized by loss of memory, impairment of judgment and abstract thinking, and changes in personality. These inmates appear confused, and may use violent behavior as they experience progressive declines in mental functions. Due to the onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia, another condition known as sundown syndrome may set in. This condition is most notable after dinner hours or at sundown. Inmates with sundown syndrome tend to wander, and may have mood swings or become demanding, suspicious, or disori- ented. Not all inmates with Alzheimer’s or dementia will exhibit sundown syndrome. Communication ✅ CO761.3. Know the elements of effectively communicating with an elderly inmate When communicating with an elderly inmate, always treat them with dignity, respect, and patience. Speak directly to an inmate, establish and maintain eye contact, and speak loudly only if the inmate indicates they cannot hear you. Include the elderly inmates in all discussions concerning their welfare and adjust the manner of communication based on any disabilities or limitations. Some elderly inmates are submissive and more apt to follow the rules. They are less apt to play games; however, elderly inmates can be good at manipulating officers through sympathy. Monitoring ✅ CO761.4. Know the special considerations to make when monitoring elderly inmates Increase the number of rounds when monitoring elderly inmates. Observe if an inmate is moving around. If the inmate is in bed, observe if their chest is rising and falling, which shows that they are breathing. Monitor the restrooms and showers more often as some elderly inmates have difficulty using the facilities or can slip and fall. Chapter 7 Supervising Special Populations / 235 You may find that elderly inmates have items in their locker that are different from the general population such as: hearing aid batteries varicose vein socks adult diapers, catheters prosthesis (artificial arm or leg) Some elderly inmates tend to hoard food beyond the expiration date and then get sick after eating it. Pay attention to expiration dates on packaged foods and encourage an inmate to dispose of expired food items. Physical Limitations A physician should assess and diagnose any inmates who have limitations in daily living activities. A service plan is designed to meet their medical and mental health needs, and housing consistent with their custody level and medical status. You will encounter elderly inmates with physical limi- tations that may include, but are not limited to, missing limbs, the inability to move about due to physical defects or malformations, deafness, and blindness or limited vision. Inmates who cannot walk will require a walker or wheelchair. Some will need adapted eating and drinking utensils. ✅ CO761.5. Know when to make special considerations for an elderly inmate with physical limitations Make an effort to reasonably accommodate an inmate when asking them to perform tasks or follow directions and give them more time to get where they need to be because of mobility challenges. Be aware that instances might arise where standard physical control measures, tactics, and even verbal directions used with younger populations may not work for elderly inmates. Examples include: an inmate who has a prosthesis that restricts movement of the knee cannot kneel before getting into a prone position an inmate who cannot see or hear well may have trouble understanding verbal directions, which may make an inmate appear to refuse to obey an order an inmate with physical limitations may be unable to perform a task; assign jobs based on the physical limitations and on the inmate’s medical grade and classification. An elderly inmate might falsely claim to have a physical limitation in an attempt to avoid following commands or to obtain sympathy. They may claim they cannot perform the actions as directed or refuse to comply with the direction. Give the inmate another action to perform or task that will achieve a similar result. 236 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO): Volume 1