To find out that the nursing home that your mother is a resident of has been restraining her can be a difficult thing to swallow. You may wonder if nursing homes are allowed to restrain her. In this case, there may be a good reason for your concern. Here is what you need to know about restraints in nursing home facilities.
Understanding the Use of Restraints in Nursing Homes
Restraints in nursing homes are legal. However, it is against the law to use restraints for any reason that isn’t necessary. This goes for physical and chemical restraints. All residents have the right to refuse restraints. Restraints do not enhance the quality of life. Restraints can cause loss of muscle tone, pressure ulcers, loss of dignity and even death.
Knowing When to Ask for Medical Evidence
The facility may tell you that the restraints are necessary. If you are not a medical professional yourself, you may feel like you have to believe what the caregivers tell you. If it doesn’t feel right, however, you have every reason to question it. The facility should be able to supply medical evidence as to why your mother needs to be restrained. If he or she cannot supply evidence, then you have a very clear complaint to make. Now, if they do provide evidence, this does not mean that the restraints are necessary. You need to take those medical records and find out whether this is the appropriate treatment for your parent.
Turning Your Case Over to Nursing Home Lawyer
When this all began, you may not have thought that you would have to go as far as to contact a lawyer. You may have hoped that the facility had your mother’s best interests in mind or you may have thought that a complaint would put a stop to it. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. If you feel like your mother’s rights are being stripped away and that she is being treated wrongly, you have every right to file a lawsuit against the facility and to get a lawyer involved. A lawyer can advise you on the steps that you need to take to ensure that your loved one is safe.
When it comes to nursing home abuse, you should always have a lawyer at your side to advocate for you and your family. While restraints are allowed in a nursing home, they are only allowed under specific circumstances. The facility cannot use physical restraints for no reason. Set up a consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer, like the attorneys at Davis & Brusca, LLC, as soon as possible to find out if you have a claim.
