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Unexpected consequences of deinstitutionalization of the mentally disabled elderly
Author(s) -
Goplerud Eric N.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
american journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.113
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1573-2770
pISSN - 0091-0562
DOI - 10.1007/bf00890695
Subject(s) - citation , relocation , psychology , gerontology , library science , sociology , medicine , computer science , programming language
An unexpected consequence of the rapid deinstitutionalization of state mental hospital patients has been a sharp rise in posttransfer mortality among the elderly. Considerable evidence suggests that outcome is mediated by two factors. Elderly patients with certain characteristics - especially physical frailty and severe cognitive impairement - comprise a high-risk subgroup for whom relocation is likely to be fatal. Among other elderly persons, environmental, personality and personality-environment congruence are associated with posttransfer prognosis. The studies reviewed indicate that the therapeutic value of deinstitutionalization for mentally disabled elderly persons is problematic.