The Impact of Relocations Within Nursing Home Care on Long-Term Care Residents According to Stakeholders: A Qualitative Study.
Miranda C Schreuder, Elleke G M Landeweer, Marieke Perry and 1 others
PMID 39814577WHAT IT FOUND
Residents' reactions to moving within nursing homes varied widely.
Stakeholders said familiar caregivers, personal items, clear communication and social ties helped residents settle, while sudden moves and unfamiliar staff could add distress.
Key findings
01Participants reported that relocation could be stressful, confusing or traumatic for residents, but some residents also functioned better in a more suitable environment.
02Familiar caregivers and recognizable personal items were described as important for helping residents feel at home after a move.
03Loss of fellow residents or caregivers could make relocation negative, while a better-fitting care environment could improve functioning.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only 18 people were interviewed, including one resident, so the findings are stakeholder reports, not measured resident outcomes. The study did not compare how often different reactions occurred or test whether any relocation practice improved outcomes. Only 6 interviewees joined the focus group, so some perspectives were missing from the validation step. The authors did not examine power differences among stakeholders, so some views may have carried more weight. Findings are from relocation cases in the Netherlands and may not apply elsewhere.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The funder was Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as proof that relocation harms all residents or that familiar caregivers and personal items prevent distress. The study reports stakeholder perspectives from 17 interviews and a focus group, not measured resident outcomes.