
1. Gerontologist. 2018 Apr 28. doi: 10.1093/geront/gny031. [Epub ahead of print]

Health Effects of the Relocation of Patients With Dementia: A Scoping Review to
Inform Medical and Policy Decision-Making.

Ryman FVM(1), Erisman JC(1), Darvey LM(1), Osborne J(1), Swartsenburg E(1),
Syurina EV(1).

Author information: 
(1)Athena Institute, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The
Netherlands.

Background and Objectives: Research into the relocation (including international 
relocation) of people with dementia is increasingly important due to the aging
population and latest developments in the international politics (including
globalization and concerns over international migration). There is need for an
overview of the health effects of relocation to facilitate and inform decision-
and policy-making regarding these relocations. The aim of this literature review 
was to provide insight into the physical, psychological, and social consequences 
of varied types of relocations of older adults suffering from dementia.
Research Design and Methods: A scoping literature review with a systematic search
was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, PsychInfo, JSTOR, and ScienceDirect. The
articles dealing with subject of relocation of older adults from 1994 to 2017
were included and analyzed. Methodological quality assessment was performed for
all articles.
Results: Final list included 13 articles. The effects of relocation were
discussed in terms of mortality and morbidity. In most studies, the health
effects of the relocation of older adults suffering from dementia were negative. 
A decline in physical, mental, behavioral, and functional well-being was
reported. The most recurring effect was a higher level of stress, which is more
problematic for patients with dementia. In general, unless it is carefully
planned, it is best to avoid changing lives of people with dementia and it is
recommended to actively work to reduce their exposure to stress.
Discussion and Implications: The outcomes of the study suggest definite evidence 
for the negative effects of relocation of the older adults. This research aims to
be used as the support of the legal and medical decisions of relocation of
patients with dementia.

DOI: 10.1093/geront/gny031 
PMID: 29718293 

