Dynamic process of movement in residential settings.

Findings from the 1987 National Medical Expenditure Survey show that almost 16% of individuals who spent some time in a residential facility during 1987 moved into other living arrangements during 1987. A smaller number had multiple moves during that period. However, this level of movement did not result in significant changes in the residential population between the beginning and end of 1987. Most movement that occurred was between residential facilities of the same type. For the most part, individuals ended the year in the same type of residential setting where they began the year. These findings suggest that there is considerably more mobility among residential populations than can be observed by examining annual rates of change in residential populations.