The impact of relocation stress on cognitively impaired and cognitively unimpaired long-term care residents

Abstract

Objectives-The aims of this study were to explore the effects of relocation stress on depression and anxiety in long-term care residents and to investigate the moderating effect of cognitive status.Methods-The study used an existing dataset collected from nursing home and congregate apartment residents. Self-reported measures of relocation stress, cognitive status, depression, and anxiety were examined. Exploratory analyses examined group differences in depression and anxiety within the full sample (n = 568) and the sample of first-year residents (n = 347). Main analyses were conducted in a subsample of 107 first-year residents who completed the measure of relocation stress.Results-Residents who had moved in the past year reported more anxiety but not depression than longer-term residents, controlling for location and functional status. Within first-year residents, those who endorsed having moved to a less desirable residence reported more depression and anxiety than those who did not. Relocation stress significantly predicted depression but not anxiety in first-year residents. There was no significant effect of cognitive status or the interaction of cognitive status and relocation stress on depression and anxiety. Conclusion-Findingssuggest that cognitively impaired older adults are no more vulnerable to the negative effects of relocation stress than cognitively unimpaired older adults. Relocating within the past year, moving to a less desirable residence, and relocation stress affected depression and anxiety complexly across samples. Relocation stress should be regarded as a risk factor for depression in long-term care residents, regardless of cognitive status, in the first year after relocation.

Strategies to support older adults’ mental health during the transition into residential aged care: a qualitative study of multiple stakeholder perspectives

“…Often used inter-changeably with ‘relocation stress’, the term ‘relocation stress syndrome’ has come to represent particularly strong responses to the transition into aged care, whereby the older adult experiences heightened confusion, anxiety, depression and loneliness [ 6 , 7 ]. Relocation stress is associated with a significant decline in older adults’ mental health, making it a clear risk factor for anxiety and depression for older adults moving into aged care [ 8 – 10 ].…”

A critique of the marketisation of long-term residential and nursing home care

“…Although the evidence of a diagnosable condition referred to as "relocation stress syndrome" or "transfer trauma" is mixed, many older people do report emotional and physical distress when moving between care homes. In particular, transferring between care homes has been associated with increased anxiety, depression, and fall risk, 25,26 especially where there is a lack of preparation or individual agency around the move. 27,28 Anticipation of poor outcomes is reflected in the low absolute rates of transfer between care homes, 29 and is particularly acute for residents with dementia or other high-level needs.…”

Strategies To Support Older Adults’ Mental Health During the Transition Into Residential Aged Care: A Qualitative Study of Multiple Stakeholder Perspectives

“…Often used inter-changeably with 'relocation stress', the term 'relocation stress syndrome' has come to represent particularly strong responses to the transition into aged care, whereby the older adult experiences heightened confusion, anxiety, depression and loneliness [6,7]. Relocation stress is associated with a signi cant decline in older adults' mental health, making it a clear risk factor for anxiety and depression for older adults moving into aged care [8][9][10].…”