When Environmental Re-Design Creates Autonomy Hindrance

Twenty-three residents were interviewed with the Geriatric Relocation Assessment Inventory (GRAI) to study the consequences of intra-institutional relocation from the residents' perspective. Interviews revealed that institutional relocation was associated with discrete positive and negative changes. Positive changes included brighter lights, new decor, and more privacy. Negative changes concerned restrictive room design and ward location. Responses are considered in light of theory to suggest that the reportedly substantial impact of minor changes can be explained as “autonomy hindrance,” such that seemingly minor losses associated with relocation become significant in a context of decreased opportunities for autonomy and increased environmental dependence. Studies that uncover such local detail may be usefull in understanding conflicting findings in relocation research.