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Nursing Home Abuse
When Nursing Home Restraints are Allowed in Florida
The thought of your loved one being drugged at his or her nursing home or tied to a chair probably makes you sick to your stomach. Yet, these types of physical and chemical restraints are sometimes allowed at Florida nursing home facilities. If your elderly family member resides in a nursing home, you need to understand when Florida nursing home restraints are permitted.There are two main categories of nursing home restraints – physical and chemical. Physical restraints include hand mitts, bedrails, vests that tie residents to chairs or beds, wrist restraints, restrictive chairs and ankle restraints. Chemical restraints come in the form of psychoactive drugs. A nursing home restraint should not be used on a regular basis.
According to the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987, nursing home residents have the right to be free from physical and chemical restraints that are used for discipline or convenience of the staff. By no means should a resident be restrained because the nursing home is understaffed or as a form of punishment.
With the exception of an emergency, nursing home restraints must be ordered by a doctor, who will write out the details of how long it should be used and for what purpose. There are many dangers associated with restraint use, which is why residents must be closely monitored and regularly evaluated. The least restrictive method should be used.
Various problems have been linked to nursing home restraints, including emotional, mental and physical trauma. Residents who have been restrained have been known to become depressed, withdrawn and disoriented. They have also been known to suffer from bedsores and increased bone fragility. If your loved one, who is living in a nursing home, exhibits any of these warning signs of nursing home abuse, you need to seek legal advice immediately.
A Palm Beach nursing home abuse attorney at Fetterman & Associates – The Law Team can explain your legal options and your loved one’s rights. Contact us today at 1-800-LAW IN FL (529-4635) for a free legal consultation.
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Fetterman & Associates, PA
648 US Highway One
North Palm Beach, FL 33408
Phone: 561-845-2510
Toll Free: 1-800-LAW IN FL (529-4635)
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Fetterman & Associates, PA
648 US Highway One
North Palm Beach, FL 33408
Phone: 561-845-2510
Toll Free: 1-800-LAW IN FL (529-4635)
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Nursing Home Abuse
- I think my loved one is suffering from elder abuse. What do I do?
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- How is a Florida nursing home abuse claim paid? Does the facility or insurance company pay it?
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