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Blog 
Nursing Home Abuse
- Is the multistate nursing compact putting our Virginia elders at risk?
- Virginia nursing home supervisor refuses to take blame for abuse
- Beware sweet-talking financial abusers targeting elders in Virginia
- Eye Opening Facts about Virginia Elder Abuse & Neglect
- Questions for suspected cases of Virginia elder abuse / neglect
Firm News
Virginia Nursing Home Administrator embroiled in abuse complaints
Posted on 7/31/2010
More elder abuse scams target vulnerable Virginia citizens
Posted on 7/31/2010
This Memorial Day, Focus on Abuse of Veterans in Nursing Homes
Posted on 5/31/2010
Virginia Beach nursing home with violations will retain govn’t funding
Posted on 4/29/2010
Virginia Beach nursing home may lose Medicare and Medicaid funding
Posted on 3/31/2010
Jury awards senior $7.75 million in nursing home abuse lawsuit
Posted on 2/27/2010
Kickbacks lead to nursing home residents being prescribed drugs
Posted on 1/29/2010
Virginia Beach nurse implicated in nursing home identity theft
Posted on 1/29/2010
Cases of nursing home abuse and neglect may go up over the holiday season
Posted on 11/30/2009
Senators pushing back against DEA narcotics crackdown affecting nursing home residents
Posted on 10/31/2009
Firm Library
Nursing Home Abuse
- Suspect financial elder abuse? Your local Virginia bank teller could be an unexpected ally
- Nursing home abuse and neglect in Virginia – a bigger problem than anyone realizes
- Virginia Elder Abuse: It Can Happen Anywhere
- Fighting for the Rights of Nursing Home Residents: the Healthcare Bill Targets Elder Abuse
- Mandatory Reporting of Virginia Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
Physical Restraints in Nursing Homes
The use of physical restraints in nursing home facilities has been a heavily debated topic. Physical restraints, which include belts, lap trays, wrist restraints, vests, specialized chairs, pelvic ties and bed side rails can be dangerous and may lead to serious injuries among nursing home residents.
Restraints are sometimes necessary to ensure the safety of a patient. For example, restraints may be needed to treat the resident’s medical condition and will provide assistance in reaching a higher level of functioning. Some of these situations may include using a physical restraint to allow a confused nursing home resident to receive necessary fluids and medications and the use of positioning devices to help the resident sit properly. Physical restraints must be ordered by a physician.
Often nursing homes use physical restraints when there are other safety measures that can be taken. According to the American Medical Directors Association, the professional association of medical directors, attending physicians, and others practicing in the long term care continuum, “the use of restraints should be strictly limited to cases where restraints are needed in order to treat the resident's medical condition, and only if the restraint will assist the resident in reaching a higher level of functioning.” Under no circumstances should the restraints be used as punishment or convenience for the nursing home.
Excessive use of physical restraints at a nursing home can cause the resident to:
- Develop pressure sores, also known as bed sores
- Lose the ability to use the bathroom independently
- Have feelings of sadness or depression
The American Medical Directors Association has created questions for family members to ask nursing home facilities regarding the use of physical restraints. These questions include the following:
- How does the nursing home decide when to use physical restraints?
- What factors are used to determine whether restraints are still necessary?
- How does the facility measure the success of the restraints?
- What are some warning signs for complications associated with restraints?
- Does the nursing home have a restraint reduction policy?
- Will the staff help the restrained nursing home resident move as much as practical?
If you have a loved one living in a nursing home and you believe that they are being physically restrained for punishment, convenience or other unacceptable reason, contact the experienced Virginia nursing home abuse lawyers at Weisberg & Zaleski, P.C. at (757) 622-7740 or (800) 690-0235. We will review your case to help you determine if nursing home abuse exists.
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Michael S. Weisberg, P.C.
112 College Place
Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 622-7740
Fax: (757) 533-9223
Toll Free: (800) 690-0235
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