Preparing Corrections Staff for the Future: Results of a 2-Day Training About Aging Inmates.

The aging of the prison population presents corrections staff with unique challenges in knowing how to support inmates while maintaining security. This article describes a 2-day training program to introduce the aging process to select staff at all levels. While the results of a pre-posttest measure, using a modified version of Palmore's Facts on Aging Quiz, did not produce a statistically significant difference at the conclusion of the training, attendees did express satisfaction with the training and their newfound insight into the challenges faced by aging inmates.

The significance of social network in a geriatric assessment population.

Background And Aims: There has long been speculation that socially-involved individuals suffer less illness, overcome sickness more readily, and experience better health outcomes than more socially isolated persons. This study describes social network characteristics, and determines whether social network affects health outcomes in the geriatric population.

Methods: Data from 1270 consecutive patients seen in the outpatient Geriatric Assessment Clinic (GAC) of the University of Nebraska Medical Center between August 1988 and May 1999 were analyzed.