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and psychosocial functioning (self-care, disoriented behavior, depressed/anxious mood, irritable behavior, and withdrawn behavior) were assessed using the Multidimensional Observation Scale for Elderly Subjects (MOSES).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with a diagnosis of cognitive impairment showed a statistically significant difference in self-care (p = 0.01) and withdrawn behavior (p = 0.01) at 3 months post-move.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.