Is Immobilization a Type of Nursing Home Abuse?

While bed rest is in fact a treatment for many nursing home residents, and sometimes doctors can prescribe full day bed rest for some patients in order for them to rest and allow their body to naturally replenish. Nursing home patients are often immobilized when prescribed bed rest because of the possibility of wandering.

The Life Steps Health Promotion Program states that some people who undergo long periods of bed rest can increase their risk of:

Naturally, immobilization is a major issue in nursing homes. While some doctors may occasionally recommend immobilization for an elderly patient, it's unlikely that he would recommend this treatment for an extended period of time, giving the senior's delicate state. However, nursing home neglect can also cause problems for immobilization treatment and result in elder neglect.

LiveStrong.com states that prolonged immobilization could also lead to a condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In fact it cites a study published in Wiley Inter-Science stating that "the most powerful risk factor DVT in patients older than 65 years was prolonged bed rest for up to 14 days, with a 5.6 times greater risk of DVT." It also stated that residents should not be left in a lying position "for any longer than 15 days."

Another reason why immobilization might be practiced is due to nursing home neglect or elder abuse by way of physical restraint. No doubt, nursing homes do need some sort of security if patients become aggressive.

USA Today recently ran a story on Diann Snyder, a nursing home director, who stated that she banned the previously used practice of physical restraints in Pennsylvanian nursing home, considering it a form of nursing home neglect. Despite the fact that restraints had been used in the past to allegedly help keep residents "safe", Snyder saw a danger. She told USA Today, "Statistics have shown there have actually been deaths from the use of restraints." She also added, "If you restrain a resident, you actually see some desperation...You kind of break their spirit. They give up."

It's nice to read about a nursing home director who goes above and beyond the average standard of nursing home care. If your relative has been the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse and has suffered physically from prolonged immobilization then you may have grounds for a lawsuit. Contact The Rasansky Law Firm and ask about your parent's legal rights. Call 1-877-405-4313 to speak with a lawyer now for free.