Dementia and mild cognitive impairment in the older prisoner population in England and Wales (DECISION): developing a dementia care pathway for use in prisons

Le résumé fourni par la source

It is estimated that 8% of the older adult prison population in England and Wales experience dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In general, they lack access to specialist services and there is no standardised care pathway. Care is therefore often suboptimal. We used an adapted balance of care approach to develop the Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment in prison care pathway (DECISION). This involved five phases: 1. Development of case typology (based on previous prevalence study); 2. Formulation of vignettes; 3. Care planning workshop (with prison and dementia specialist); 4. Data analysis; 5. Validation of results. The output from the balance of care approach was the DECISION care pathway. DECISION involves a screening, identification and assessment process. The process is coordinated by a dedicated prison-based dementia nurse who develops personalised care plans and coordinates care for those with dementia. Based on initial assessments, considerations of appropriate settings for care are made including, dementia-friendly wings; regional older prisoner units and supra-regional specialised services. Alternatives to custody are also considered. After an appropriate setting has been identified, input from peer carers, psychology, healthcare, social care, the third sector and prison staff is arranged proportionate to need with a personalised care plan. DECISION provides a viable care pathway for this vulnerable group. Its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness should now be examined.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.