Celebrating Family Council at Carveth Care Centre

by Jim Taylor

The Oxford dictionary defines “restraint” as a device to keep in-check or under control or within bounds, repress, deep down, confine or imprison. Therefore, the general notion of a restraint has a very negative meaning.

At a Long-Term Care Facility, such as Carveth, one of the most important safety concerns for our loved ones, the residents, is the prevention of falls, and their potential consequences, from any elevation, whether a bed, chair, wheelchair or walker. The use of some sort of restraint, in many cases, can be helpful in preventing such falls and injuries. The use and definition of restraints is carefully described in governmental and legal policy, as well as Carveth Policy.

Of significant importance is the legal rights and protections of the residents, their dignity and rights to freedom of movements. These rights must be weighed against the safety needs of the individual.

There are many different types of restraints that are considered safe and acceptable, and many types which are forbidden for use. Furthermore, the use of restraints must be assessed and approved by a team of healthcare providers, including the resident or the resident’s substitute decision maker/power of attorney for personal care.

The assessment to prescribe safety restraints must include a longlist of terms, including the description of the behaviour requiring the restraint and many other personal and medical considerations. At all steps of the assessment procedure, alternatives to restraints will be the first consideration of the care team. Initiation of restraints will always be the last resort for use as a solution to the problem. This assessment process is documented in the residents’ care report. As care givers, we want our loved ones to live safely and we are all encouraged to discuss the use and need for restraints with the Care Coordinator, if the risk of injury can be prevented or reduced.