Elder Care Abuse Lawyer
Restraint Injury ● Nursing Home Restraints
Sadly, neglect and abuse of the elderly happens all too frequently in northern California. Our older population will grow rapidly as baby boomers age, making it critical to address this social problem. At the Law Offices of Lawrence M. Knapp, we help families cope with the abuse or neglect of their older loved ones. If you suspect that a family member has been abused or neglected in an assisted living facility or nursing home, contact an experienced and skilled California nursing home neglect attorney.
Chemical and Physical Restraints
In theory, nursing homes and other care facilities use restraints to protect their residents from falling or hurting themselves. In practice, nursing homes frequently use restraints to make the lives of staff easier. Patients who are not walking about are less likely to fall. Patients who are heavily medicated are less likely to try to get out of bed.
Restraints can be physical. These include tying down a patient’s arms with cuffs to prevent them from pulling out an IV or feeding tube or keeping the bed rails up to keep patients from getting out of bed unsupervised. Restraints can also be chemical, and include using sedatives, tranquilizers, and anti-psychotic drugs, to keep patients docile and immobile.
Misuse of Restraints in Nursing Homes
There are many good reasons to use chemical or physical restraints in nursing homes. However, the patients, the physicians, and the families must be informed, and the reason for the use of restraints documented. In addition, restrained patients actually require more monitoring, not less. The absence of proper notification and correct monitoring of patients could be neglectful or abusive.
Patients should be monitored closely for adverse reactions to drugs. If they are physically restrained, their toileting needs should be taken care of. If your physically restrained loved one appears to be suffering from poor hygiene because of the restraints, suspect neglect or abuse. If your family member is disoriented and non-verbal because of restraining or sedative drugs, suspect neglect or abuse.
Contact a California Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer
In either case, contact a knowledgeable elder care abuse lawyer right away to discuss the situation. We offer a free consultation, making it easy for you to explore your options. Call the Law Offices of Lawrence M. Knapp in Stockton, California, to learn how we can help.
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