Enhancing Care of the Aged and Dying in Prisons

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant The United States has the highest rate of incarceration in the world The demographics of the prison population are shifting In fact the number of sentenced state and federal prisoners age or older grew at times the rate of the overall prison population from The health status of aging inmates does not mirror the free world population In fact prisoners typically present with health issues common to free citizens who are years their senior Prisoners are wards of that state that is the system is responsible for providing for not only custody and control of offenders but also their care Collectively these trends have had a profound impact on prison systems U S prisons are facing sharply increased demands in caring for aged and dying inmates This Phase I STTR project titled Enhancing Care for the Aged and Dying in Prisons ECAD P will demonstrate the scientific merit and feasibility of the development of cutting edge media rich learning modules focused on geriatric and end of life care within the constraints of correctional settings The specific aims of the project are to reformat an established comprehensive training program in a two fold development strategy standardized modules to streamline training processes and convert content driven modules into a media rich technology based format that will permit large scale dissemination expand the training program to include adapted geriatric care strategies that address providersandapos identified needs for resources on managing issues relevant to an aging inmate population as they advance toward the end of life and conduct in person usability testing of the media rich interactive web based prototype with prison multidisciplinary staff e g security unit managers chaplains healthcare staff etc to evaluate the user interface ease of use and perceived barriers and how to further understand and optimize the organizational and environmental culture for implementation In collaboration with experts in prison healthcare geriatrics and palliative hospice care we will first conduct an environmental scan to ensure a proper fit between the product and available technology Next we will isolate essential geriatric content to be identified for specification in the development of the comprehensive training program using a modified Delphi technique Finally we will create and evaluate prototypes of media rich interactive learning modules designed for computer based learning in the context of corrections At the conclusion of Phase I we will have a specifications document for the design of modules in the expanded Toolkit for Enhancing Care of Aged and Dying in Prisons specifications for delivery systems that fit with the technology available in corrections settings and established collaborative relationships in preparation for commercialization of the product PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE The mission of corrections is to provide custody control and care for incarcerated individuals United States prisons are required by constitutional law to provide adequate care for growing numbers of older inmates who will likely spend their final days in prison This Phase I project focuses on the correct users accessing correct learning strategies in the correct setting i e interdisciplinary prison staff accessing high quality prodcts designed to educate and lead practice change initiatives within the walls of prisons by developing prototypes of high quality computer based learning CBL modules and a standardized train the trainer model to promote an integrated systems approach to enhancing the care of the aged and dying in prisons