(My piece  about restraints for Alzhemer’s patients , to keep them from opening a door and escaping or otherwise injuring themselves, drew many comments.  I’m using some of these as guest posts or in collections of comments.  I thought Bob Matthews had a very insightful comment, based on his experiences while caring for his dad. I’m posting it below.)

It’s a hard thing to do, and you are bound to get many negative comments from people who have never had to deal with an Alzheimer’s patient, but there comes a time when there is no choice.

The only option is to carefully choose the minimum practical method of restraint. The less visible the restraint the better. Alzheimer’s patients can injure themselves struggling with restraints.

It’s better if they can’t see what is holding them back. A locked door should not look like a door if possible, but a doorknob or elevator button on a blank wall can keep the patient occupied for hours.

The type of seatbelt that usually comes with a wheelchair is too obvious but discreetly attaching the patients own belt to the chair is less likely to result in a struggle. A patch of black on the floor (tape, a small rug, etc.) was all I needed to keep my Father away from a door.

My response to Bob’s comment:

Thanks, Bob, for stopping by Alzheimer’s Notes and leaving these suggestions for choosing restraints carefully. It is a difficult situation, but one that needs to be addressed for the patient’s safety and caregiver’s sanity. Sometimes in order to “appear” humane to the general public (manhy of whom have never had to care for an Alzheimer’s patient day in, day out), the patient’s safety gets pushed into the background.

The nursing home where Mother resided also had buzzers that would go off when the patient tried to get up from a chair, open a door, etc. I like that idea of a door knob or elevator button on a blank wall. I can see that this would occupy some residents for a considerable time.

Do you have thoughts to share about this topic?

(c)2008

Post from: Blisstree

Bob’s Thoughts About Restraints for Alzheimer’s Patients