Relocation can be stressful for anyone, mainly if they are vulnerable. The latter includes retirees moving into a senior living community, who may or may not have age-related health complications that constantly require care from someone else. Older adults who relocate to a senior living community often face a challenging adjustment. Moving to a new place can cause stress and psychological issues even for the most confident seniors. When seniors live independently, they control all aspects of their daily lives, which they can take in stride and adapt to. When older adults have to adapt to an unfamiliar environment, not only do they have to move out of their homes, but they also have to deal with new rules and routines. Older adults, especially those with dementia, may decline faster or become confused in unfamiliar territory.
Stress is common during a move, but when it significantly affects one’s mental and physical health, it develops into relocation stress syndrome, an acute stress disorder (RSS). A group of symptoms known as RSS, sometimes known as transfer trauma, appear when a person transitions from one setting to another. The condition goes beyond ordinary stress and may result in serious health issues.
Misdiagnosis and its Dangers
According to Mintz, the symptoms of dementia and relocation stress syndrome can overlap, which may cause a misdiagnosis. Moving from an in-home setting into a long-term care community can cause a senior to show confusion or memory loss, which may look like dementia. Still, it may simply be a natural reaction from the shock of being in a different environment—a response known as relocation stress syndrome.
This is why it is essential to treat and carefully manage patients who show signs of delirium and whom you suspect may have dementia, so they are not mislabeled. It can be scary and upsetting when a family member, friend, or patient is dealing with these conditions, especially without a loved one to jump to action.
Relocation Stress Syndrome is more likely to affect older adults with dementia since they cannot engage in decision-making and have trouble absorbing new information. Their short-term memory hampers their inability to adapt to change and new learning memory deficits, according to Kim Warchol, founder and president of Dementia Care Specialists.
How You Can Try to Prevent RSS
By being proactive, you won’t live your life watching your elderly loved ones suffer from the condition of Relocation Stress Syndrome and stress brought on by leaving their home. There are some things you can try to make this work. Suppose a loved one of yours is being released from a rehabilitation hospital. In that case, the hospital staff will typically have advocates on staff to help provide much-needed support for a smooth transition.
Involving your loved one in the transition decision-making process and ensuring they understand what is happening also goes a long way to prevent this type of stress. Have an honest conversation with them, acknowledge their fears about relocation, and try to allay them. When doing this, always validate their feelings to ensure they feel understood.
You can also try to recreate the new home to resemble the house they moved in from. If they have moved into a senior living community with lots of activities, encourage them to try them out to keep them busy and meet new people. This also helps them settle in much faster.
