Restrictions are everything that is intended to limit the mobility of a person for different reasons. As we age, we begin to face physical and mental health challenges, making it nearly impossible to take care of ourselves and also putting us in danger of falling, getting lost, or having serious accidents. Sometimes restrictions are necessary. Sometimes they are excessive, cruel and completely unnecessary.
Written consent
Nursing homes use restraints to control behavior or mobility when dealing with high-risk patients. The law explicitly states that restraints should only be used in certain cases, and after the family of the individual being restrained provides written consent.
Here are some of the common constraint methods used today:
- Chemical restrictions – Nursing homes use certain drugs to help contain disoriented or agitated residents. These medications pacify aggressive behavior, making it easier to control such individuals. Some of the drugs used include Versed, Haldol, and Ativan.
- Cuffs and Belts- These can be placed around the ankles, wrists, and other moving parts of the body to keep the person in one place. They are also attached to the bed base, making them virtually impossible to remove. These types of restraints can cause sores, welts, and bruises if used frequently and over a long period of time.
- Meat – Certain types of chairs make it virtually impossible for people to get up. An example of this is the “Geri chair” which is equipped with a tray that fixes the patient in the chair. These types of chairs can cause falls when patients try to get out of them.
- bed rails – They are usually placed on either side of the bed, making it difficult for patients to get out of bed. While these can help seniors from falling out of bed, they can be misused by staff who simply want to restrain people from the nursing home due to laziness or even cruelty.
The restrictions are considered nursing home abuse
Restraining the elderly is unethical and illegal in some cases. If you suspect that your loved one is being unreasonably restrained, you should conduct your own investigation to determine if your claims or suspicions are valid. Our law firm has been handling nursing home abuse cases for nearly 30 years in Dallas. Let us help you. By seeking legal help, you can prevent future abuse from these abusive nursing homes.
