Legal Practice

Physical or Chemical Restraints:

If you have a loved one who is at high risk for falls, you should request that the home take the proper precautions necessary to avoid any physical injury.

Typically staff will inform the family that physical restraints are against Federal Law. Should you feel that your family member needs some form of physical restraint to prevent injury, it is perfectly legal to utilize that physical restraint as ordered by a doctor.

If your loved one suffers from various ailments such as Alzheimer or dementia, it is possible that they may become more difficult to deal with than other residents in the facility. Some homes will use chemical restraints in order to control a difficult resident. Should your loved one always seem sleepy, un-attentive, not alert and confused, you should question the homes use of various drugs resulting in their condition.