Ethical implications of deinstitutionalization and moves of the institutionalized elderly.

We focus on the ethical issues faced by psychologists working as members of an interdisciplinary team in a psychiatric hospital in light of the current trend and policy to deinstitutionalize. The major ethical dilemma results from psychologists' awareness of the effects of long-term institutionalization and moves on the elderly, as well as some of the documented adverse consequences of deinstitutionalization. We review the current policy on deinstitutionalization and the literature on the effects of deinstitutionalization and relocation on the elderly. We also address the role of the psychologist in a hospital setting that may have goals and values that conflict with those of the therapists. Possible ways to resolve this conflict of interest are explored. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)