The effect of location on the elderly mentally infirm: relationship to mortality and behavioural deterioration.

An investigation was carried out into the effects of location on the elderly mentally infirm. While location had no bearing on subsequent mortality there was some evidence to suggest that some aspects of behavioural deterioration were influenced by the type of location and in those cases residential home placement seemed to produce the least deterioration over and 18-month period when the effects of mental and behavioural competent were taken into account. The implications of these findings for the provision of long-term care for the elderly are discussed.