Intrainstitutional relocation. Effects on residents' behavior and psychosocial functioning.

INTRODUCTION

Relocation effects in the elderly have been a topic of gerontologic research for many years. Prior research, however, has focused on individuals who could make a cognitive appraisal of the relocation process. With a greater prevalence of cognitive impairments and/or psychiatric illnesses in long-term care residents, research is needed to clarify the impact of relocation on these individuals.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine how intrainstitutional relocation affects behavior and psychosocial functioning in residents with and without cognitive, mood, and/or psychotic disorders.

METHOD

This prospective study followed 78 residents being relocated intrainstitutionally in a health-related facility that was undergoing major renovations. Medical and nursing information was collected at 1 month pre-move and at 1 and 3 months post-move. Five areas of behavioral and psychosocial functioning (self-care, disoriented behavior, depressed/anxious mood, irritable behavior, and withdrawn behavior) were assessed using the Multidimensional Observation Scale for Elderly Subjects (MOSES).

RESULTS

A significant increase was seen in the number of medical visits (p = .04) from time of relocation to 1 month post-move. The groups diagnosed with mood disorder and psychotic disorder had a statistically significant weight loss (p = .04) between 1 month pre-move and 1 month post-move. The study revealed an increase in the number of residents who fell immediately after relocation, but the increase did not reach statistical significance (p = 12). Residents who fell after relocation had resided at the facility for a longer time than the remainder of the sample (p = .08). Residents with a diagnosis of cognitive impairment showed a statistically significant difference in self-care (p = 0.01) and withdrawn behavior (p = 0.01) at 3 months post-move. Extensive relocation preparation and support may have been the main contribution to diminishing the stress of relocation over time and across diagnostic categories.