Understanding Mental and Physical Health Issues for Older Adults

Course Code: REL-PSC-0-UMPHIO

Hours: 2.5

Type: Online Course

Content Expiration Date: 3/31/2027

Learning Objectives:
Describe common behavioral health conditions among older adults.
Describe illnesses, disabilities, and diseases that are common among older adults.
Explain how behavioral and physical health conditions affect supervision of older adults in correctional facilities.
Recall strategies correctional officers can use to improve the care and supervision of older adults in correctional facilities.

Outline:
Section 1: Introduction

About This Course

Learning Objectives

Section 2: The Aging Inmate

Older Adults in Corrections

Complex Connections

Supervision Challenges

Skills to Manage Older Adults with Behavioral Health Disorders

Review

Summary

Section 3: Behavioral Health of Adults in Correctional Facilities

Overview of Behavioral Health Among Inmates

Behavioral Health Conditions Common Among Older Adults

Neurocognitive Disorders

Depressive Disorders

Anxiety Disorders

Knowledge Check

Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders

Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders

Substance-Related Disorders

Suicide

Review

Summary

Section 4: Physical Health in Corrections

Physical Health of Adults in Correctional Facilities

Changes in the Aging Body

Physical Health Conditions Common Among Older Adults

Sleeping Problems

Common Illnesses

Chronic Pain

Incontinence

Injuries Due to Falls

Physical Health Conditions Unique to Women

Multiple Medications

Disabilities Common Among Older Adults

Review

Summary

Section 5: Strategies to Improve Care and Supervision of Older Adults

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Reasonable Accommodation

Strategies to Improve Care

Minimize Use of Disciplinary Action

Referrals and Paperwork

Programming

Housing

Extras

Exercise

Communication

Palliative Care and Early Medical Release

Review

Summary

Section 6: Conclusion

Summary

Course Contributors

References

Instructor: Dee K. Bell, PhD

Dr. Dee Bell is a clinical psychologist and consultant in the areas of Restorative Justice, Juvenile Justice and Correctional Assessments. She retired as the Deputy Commissioner of Juvenile Justice at the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice. Previously, she served for four years as the Administrator of the Community Justice Institute at Florida Atlantic University and the Director of the Balanced and Restorative Justice Project sponsored by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Prior to these positions, she has worked 30 + years in Community Corrections for Georgia and Florida State Government. Educated at Clemson University and Emory University, she has provided training in both state and national venues for many years and has authored and co-authored a number of articles on justice system issues and adult and juvenile justice curricula and restorative justice in communities and schools.

Writer: Kimberly Cobb, MS

Mrs. Cobb is a Lead SME Writer/Trainer at Relias. Her primary writing responsibilities are in the content areas of public safety and behavioral health. Mrs. Cobb is also the onboarding trainer for new staff joining the Relias Content Department. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Correctional and Juvenile Justice Studies and a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice. She has over 25 years of experience working in criminal and juvenile justice. Her work includes direct service, research, publication development, and training and technical assistance development and delivery.

Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Public Safety Personnel; in the following settings: Public Safety Agencies.

Relias Learning will be transparent in disclosing if any commercial support, sponsorship or co-providership is present prior to the learner completing the course.

Relias Learning has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias Learning will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias Learning at support@reliaslearning.com.

Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.