Restraints of Elderly in Care Homes

How many Care Homes in India have Restraints Policy?

Not every person is blessed to be mentally sound & have stable mental health, there are many people who have mental health problems, impairments & are mentally disturbed.

Not every Elderly Care Home in India is for Active Ageing, there are many homes who take care of mentally disturbed elders who live on the roads, have been eaten by rats, maggots & suffering from Scabies.

When these Seniors are rescued many of them get aggressive & tend to throw stones, spit & physically & verbally abuse the staff who try to take them to a more humane environment.

The larger point of debate is, when there is a challenging and threatening behaviour shown by the rescued individual, what is the policy on restraints in India?

Restraints is not only applicable for the homeless and destitute elderly, it can be seen across many Dementia Care Homes (Memory Care Homes) also. 

Aggressive behaviour can be displayed by our parents or ourselves in the future, the question is how would we like to be treated by the care staff in such situations?

The order for restraints can only be given by a Doctor & necessary supervision & guidelines have to be followed to ensure safety & security of the individual.

Since not many Care Homes in India would be having Restraints Policy and Restraints Assessment Checklist, hence I am sharing the same for the larger cause.

Mental Healthcare Act (MHCA 2017), Section 97 defines the guidelines on Restraints but then a simple checklist is always advisable as most care staff are not equipped to read & understand the legal implications of the Mental Healthcare Act.

The document can be downloaded here (Restraints Assessment Checklist for Elderly Care Homes) or can be viewed below