Environmental changes to, between, or within institutional settings create stress and risk for illness or death in the elderly population. Persons who are given individualized preparation and as many choices as possible in relation to a move show fewer deleterious effects than those involved in involuntary relocations. Elderly persons moving to a more dependent living arrangement show more anxiety than those moving to a more independent arrangement. Comprehensive information should be provided to the personnel of the new facility, specifically about the older person's fears and losses.

No abstract