The physical restraint used for the prevention of falls in the elderly (e.g. bed belt, restraint belt, side rails…), is increasingly emerging as inappropriate: in addition to being disheartening, it can be dangerous and ineffective. The conditions for which it is applied often require immediate assessment and attention to the person, with quality and safe care thanks to interdisciplinary work that allows health professionals to anticipate, identify and address the problems, also consulting family members and caregivers on the habits and behavior of the patient. Restraint should be taken into consideration only as a last resort, to the least restrictive extent possible, proportional to the risk.

Advice from Altroconsumo

- As far as measures of restraint, it is important to have broad agreement between family members and health personnel. A primary objective is surely to avoid any type of conflict, maintaining a relationship of reciprocal trust, attention and dialogue. The possible restraint of one's own family member must, however, always have very clear and mutually agreed reasons, including the estimated duration.
- Good information about the admitted patient is important to put into action alternative preventative measures to restraint. It is therefore advisable to clearly and confidently describe the patient's habitual behaviours to the health personnel, trying not to omit anything: the habits, ways of communicating, likes, how pain is expressed, or needs.
- There are ways to avoid falls, like nonslip footwear, leaning the bed against the wall, and putting the mattress on the ground. The main solution remains, however, the presence of someone next to the patient. It may therefore be important to have family members available to stay close to the person during his/her admission or hospitalization.

In collaboration with

ANIMO - Associazione Nazionale Infermieri di Medicina - Società scientifica di FNOPI