Physical and Chemical Restraints Often Used in Nursing Homes

Residents of nursing homes in California have a right to be free from unnecessary restraints. And there are a couple of different types of restraints that are often used in nursing homes. There’s physical restraints and there’s chemical restraints. And so physical restraints are going to be anything that’s restricting a person’s freedom of movement, such as wrist or ankle straps, or a lap belt. Sometimes bed rails can be considered a physical restraint. And then there are chemical restraints, which are usually unnecessary psychotropic medications or anti-anxiety medications that the need for isn’t necessarily clinically indicated by that person’s condition. And so, in order for restraints to be used on your loved one, there needs to be informed consent. If a facility is using a restraint on your loved one without informed consent, that in itself is elder abuse and neglect. And there’s also—the unnecessary use of restraints can lead to elder abuse and neglect.

So, when physical restraints are not used safely or appropriately, they can lead to falls, to entrapment, and to other physical injuries. And when chemical restraints are used inappropriately, it can lead to severe decline in a person’s cognitive status, in their level of functioning, and it can also lead to mental health problems, depression, becoming withdrawn. If you’ve seen or suspect that a facility is using unnecessary restraints on your loved one, please reach out to Lanzone Morgan. We have dealt with cases involving chemical and physical restraints. And we are prepared to help you correct that and seek justice for your loved one.