Sides on beds

[nayook]

Kevin recently said in a post, "the only way they can manage risk is to keep her in bed with the sides up." I'm curious. In Australian care facilities this is no longer permitted. Is it ok in other countries? Rob has fallen out of bed quite often and I've wondered if sides on the bed would keep him safer. But it won't happen here.

[Kevin_1]

Hi nayook

In the UK we have the 'Mental Capacity Act' which is rather complex and it includes regulations surrounding Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. There is also a published 'guidance' manual which interprets the law and effectively it must be complied with.

If a resident requests that the bed sides be put up to keep them safe and they have the capacity to make that decision, then there is no a deprivation of liberty.

If they don't have capacity and the person who is their Best Interest Decision maker (usually a close relative involved in their care), can then make that decision on their behalf.

In the case of the decision being made by the Best Interest Decision Maker the decision must be as close to what it is thought the person would have decided had they had capacity and it must be the least restrictive option.

Thus, for example, routinely tying someone to a chair instead of providing sufficient care is not an option. However using a seat belt to prevent them impulsively standing up and falling is acceptable as long as when they ask for it to be undone (by speech, or signalling or showing intention that they want to stand) the staff or carer must comply and then give them time and assistance to stand or meet other needs. Distracting them from their intention is not lawful. (An old strategy used quite widely in care of dementia folk.)

Most good homes will submit their plan and the reasons for it to the Local Authority for scrutiny in order to ensure that they comply with the law. Even if the resident has requested some restrictions and has capacity to do so.

I hope this clarifies things a little.

Is this the way it works in Aus.?

Best to you

Kevin

[nayook in reply to Kevin_1]

Thanks Kevin. I'm going to ask more questions about how things work here in Oz. Lynne

[Kevin_1 in reply to nayook]

This might help

alrc.gov.au/publications/re...

Googling public guardian might also yield good info. (They seem to be the inspectorate in Australia for this, amongst other things.

Best to you

Kevin

[nayook in reply to Kevin_1]

Thanks again. Almost midnight here now Kevin. Time for some shut-eye. Lynne

PS. Rob had a fall yesterday and a potentially more serious backward one today, hitting his head on the TV cabinet. Miraculously he seems fine, but these falls are way too frequent.

[Kevin_1 in reply to nayook]

Hi Anne

They're awful aren't they?... they send shudders through me.

I hope he's not to badly bruised.

Best to you both

Kevin

[Kevin_1]

Oh, adding.

I have put anti-tippers on the wheelchair now and a wheelchair buckle which she can't undo without assistance. She has agreed to these. So she is no-longer stuck in bed. The bed thing was a temporary measure whilst we sorted out less restrictive things.

She still has the bedsides up when she is in her bed. She is terrified of falling out, which she has done in the past.

[jmoffat in reply to Kevin_1]

if an anti-tipper meets a tipper do they annihilate each other in a flash of light?

[Kevin_1 in reply to jmoffat]

Chuckles Jim

You physicists and mathematicians! 😅

But you've got me thinking.

How about a PSP Assoc. away day at CERN?

We could have accelerated wheel chair rides and watch the Bosons. OK I know bosons are shy. They must have a hide or something to watch from though, surely.

Liz would certainly be up for the rides.

Yes, my grasp of physics ain't so hot .

😁

[nayook in reply to Kevin_1]

Pardon me intruding on your physics humour which I did enjoy. It made me think of a physics joke I heard recently."Q:How many general-relativity theorists does it take to change a light bulb?

A: Two. One to hold the bulb and one to rotate space." Surely we can come up with an answer to the question "How many PSP patients does it take to change a light globe". I haven't thought of an answer yet, but a chuckle never hurts so perhaps someone can.

[Kevin_1 in reply to nayook]

LOL

Nice one

In answer to your question how about:

Three: One to fill in all of the forms, another to write the appeals, a third one to organise the resulting care agency and after health and safety objections the care agency might just do it.

Not so good... can I have a point for effort?

[nayook in reply to Kevin_1]

Actually I love it. 👍 Spot on. And here's another for you. Q: What are environmentally conscientious European physicists called?

A: Con-CERN-ed. But I'd better stop the jokes on that note when so many on the site are dealing with pretty heavy stuff. But thanks for injecting a little lightness. Much appreciated. Lynne.

[Kevin_1 in reply to nayook]

It's OK

Most of us would go mad without humour.

It pops up from time on the forum and we all get to smile a bit more.

😀

[Dadshelper]

Dad has sides on his bed, as do most the patients in the facility here (here being in the in US). It was not discussed, they just do it. In fact the aides are required to have them in place before they leave the room.

Ron

[nayook in reply to Dadshelper]

Thank Ron. I'm going to do some research about regulations here.

Lynne

[Motts]

Good Morning Lynne

It seems every patient is unique in what they need to be kept safe . . . and now I am learning that every country as their own rules and regulations.

Personally, I feel the rails make me feel safer . . . I guess the question will be revisited as our situations change.

Once again I must say this is a wonderful place to gather information as we deal with new situation almost daily . . . everyone is so good to share What Worked or What Did Not.

Sending Hugs - Granni B

[nayook in reply to Motts]

Thanks Granni B. As I discuss with Nursing Home staff how we can keep Rob safer, it is good to have a range of opinions at hand. Rob tells me he would feel safer with rails, but it seems likely that we'll have to settle for the hospital bed lowered to the floor so falls won't result in injury. Yes this forum is wonderful. So grateful I found it.

Lynne

[Motts in reply to nayook]

Lynne ask if they can provide a mat for the floor to soften his fall.

My mom had a mat with an alarm to announce her many falls.

Good Luck - Granni B

[nayook]

Thanks. I will. Lynne