As people age, their ability to care for themselves frequently declines. In some cases, they may become so confused that they pose a threat of harm to themselves or to others. The professionals operating nursing homes sometimes have to make difficult decisions related to the care of struggling older adults.
For example, they may have to physically restrain an individual experiencing a mental health episode. In some cases, workers may administer medication as a chemical restraint to prevent outbursts and calm people experiencing extreme emotional dysregulation. Sometimes, families may have reason to question the use of chemical restraints on a loved one.
Chemical restraints can be dangerous
Administering sedatives, anesthetics and other medications used as chemical restraints comes with a degree of risk. People can have adverse reactions to the medications. The drugs can also interact with other medications that nursing home residents require for their daily health. Particularly when workers unnecessarily administer chemical restraints or use them too frequently, the use of chemical restraints could have negative consequences for vulnerable older adults.
Families attempting to address medical expenses and other losses associated with a poor reaction to chemical restraints may have reason to question whether the nursing home or long-term care facility may have violated best practices. Best practices at nursing homes require that facilities limit the use of both physical and chemical restraints for the safety of residents.
The unnecessary administration of chemical restraints or the failure to record the use of such drugs in a resident’s records could both provide reason to question the practices at a nursing home or similar facility. Reviewing records regarding the use of chemical restraints with a skilled legal team can be the first step toward a nursing home negligence lawsuit seeking justice for a vulnerable loved one.