"Becoming Invisible Ties": Elderly Individuals' Bondage: An Unseen Aspect of Care Homes' Daily Routines
In a recent report, journalists Jonathan Moens and Natalie Donback delve into the contentious issue of the use of restraints, ligatures, and barriers in nursing homes and hospitals.
These measures, commonly employed under the guise of safety and protection, are prevalent in healthcare settings, particularly in mental health wards and among patients with learning disabilities. They are primarily used to control patient movement and reduce risks, such as self-harm or harm to others.
While their use is justified by risk reduction, safety, and operational challenges, experts and oversight bodies have raised concerns. The negative physical and psychological effects, ethical and human rights issues, and calls for alternatives are all points of contention.
Restraints and ligatures can cause physical harm, trauma, and worsen mental health. They can also reduce autonomy, which contradicts the modern approach of delivering person-centered care and minimizing coercive practices.
Moreover, the use of these measures raises ethical and human rights issues. There is increasing focus on delivering care that respects the individual's dignity and autonomy, and minimizing coercive practices.
Guidance promotes therapeutic engagement and safer environmental design to reduce reliance on such measures. The aim is to create care environments that prioritize the well-being and safety of patients, without resorting to restraints, ligatures, or barriers.
Joining the investigation, journalist Joana Ascensão is also reporting on this issue, shedding light on the ongoing debate and the search for alternative, more humane solutions. The report underscores the need for a shift towards a more compassionate and therapeutic approach in healthcare settings.
[1] Guideline Development Group (2018). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Reducing the risk of suicide in depression: quick guide. Retrieved from https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg90/resources/reducing-the-risk-of-suicide-in-depression-quick-guide-pdf-1694824852202
[3] Royal College of Psychiatrists (2015). Reducing the use of restraint and segregation in mental health services. Retrieved from https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/pdf/ReducingRestraintSegregation.pdf
- The social science literature on mental health has highlighted the negative impact of restraints, ligatures, and barriers on the mental health and well-being of patients, especially in the aging population.
- As the health-and-wellness sector strives to provide more humanitarian care, therapies-and-treatments and alternative strategies that prioritize mental health are being emphasized to replace coercive measures, such as restraints and ligatures, in healthcare settings.
- In the pursuit of promoting elderly health and optimum mental well-being, multiple organizations, including National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, provide guidelines on reducing the use of restraints and segregation in mental health services.
