Innovative Models of Dementia Care for Older Australian Offenders

This an amazing scholarship opportunity to study with a world class team at UNSW Sydney. Over the last fifteen years, the older offender population (aged 55+) has been the most rapidly expanding prison population worldwide. This group presents health, financial and human rights challenges that are exacerbated by the built environment, lack of appropriate support systems, and absence of education and training for custodial staff concerning the unique needs of this population. There is currently no international model of care for the management of dementia in this vulnerable group who are at increased risk of early cognitive decline. This study will address the urgent need to develop and trial an innovative and cost-effective practical model to improve the care and support of older offenders with dementia in the Australian prison setting. This project represents an exciting partnership between academia and key industry stakeholders, namely UNSW Sydney, Corrective Services NSW/NT and Alzheimer’s Australia NSW/NT.