RELOCATION RESEARCH AND SOCIAL POLICY

• NCJ Number: 68031
• Journal: Gerontologist Volume: 1 Issue: 6 Dated: (DECEMBER 1974) Pages: 474-501
• Author(s): M A LIEBERMAN
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 8 pages
• Grant Number(s): HD-00364; 17-328
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare; California Dept of Mental Health; Illinois Dept of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REVISION OF A SYMPOSIUM (LONG-TERM CARE - RESEARCH, POLICY, AND PRACTICE) PRESENTED AT THE 26TH ANNUAL MEETING OF GERONTOLOGICAL SOCIETY, MIAMI BEACH (FL), 1973

Annotation

FOUR STUDIES EXAMINING FACTORS PREDICTING THE EFFECTS OF RELOCATION ON THE ELDERLY ARE DISCUSSED. STRATEGIES USED TO ALLEVIATE STRESS ON THE ELDERLY ENTERING INSTITUTIONS OR TRANSFERRING BETWEEN INSTITUTIONS ARE EXAMINED.

Abstract

THE STUDIES COVERED 640 INDIVIDUALS AND INVOLVED HEALTHY ELDERLY MOVING INTO AFFLUENT, SOPHISTICATED INSTITUTIONS AND SICK ELDERLY PERSONS MOVING INTO INADEQUATE FACILITIES. THEIR FINDINGS INDICATED THAT, REGARDLESS OF THE CONDITION OF THE INDIVIDUAL, THE NATURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT, OR THE DEGREE OF SOPHISTICATED PREPARATION, RELOCATION ENTAILS A HIGHER THAN ACCEPTABLE RISK TO THE LARGE MAJORITY OF ELDERLY PERSONS BEING MOVED. THE NUMBER OF AGED SHOWING MARKED DECLINE (BEHAVIORAL, PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, OR PSYCHOLOGICAL) RANGED FROM A LOW OF 48 PERCENT TO A HIGH OF 56 PERCENT. DEATH RATES RANGED FROM 2 PERCENT TO 18 PERCENT. ONE METHOD OF MINIMIZING RISK TO THE ELDERLY ENTERING CONGREGATE LIVING SITUATIONS IS CHOOSING THE RIGHT PERSON FOR RELOCATION, SINCE PHYSICAL STATUS, COGNITIVE ABILITY, AND OTHER PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS ARE POWERFUL PREDICTORS OF THE OUTCOME. HOWEVER, THE PEOPLE WHO REQUIRE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES ARE OFTEN THOSE WHO ARE EMPIRICALLY SHOWN TO ENTAIL THE GREATEST RISK. ANOTHER USEFUL STRATEGY, ALTHOUGH NOT AS EFFECTIVE AS SELECTION, INVOLVES PREPARING THE ELDERLY FOR RELOCATION. THIS ENTAILS HELPING THEM MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR NEEDS, PERMITTING THEM SOME INFLUENCE ON THE OUTCOME OF THEIR SERVICE REQUEST, WORKING WITH THEIR FAMILIES, AND SIMILAR STRATEGIES. HOWEVER, THE MAINTENANCE OF THE ELDERLY IN SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTS WHICH MINIMIZE THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF RELOCATIONS IS THE PREFERRED METHOD WHEN FEASIBLE. FINDINGS FROM THE FOUR STUDIES ARE CITED IN SUPPORT OF THE THREE STRATEGIES. FURTHER RESEARCH IS NEEDED TO TRANSLATE THESE RESEARCH FINDINGS INTO POLICY. REFERENCES AND SEVERAL FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED.