Use of physical restrictions in gerontogeriatrics institutions
M.ª Jesús Zanza Castro, Ángela Toronjo Gómez, María Jesús Rojas Ocaña, Olga Díaz de Durana Martínez de Zuazo, Carol Anne Elsden, J. Javier Soldevilla Agreda

SUMMARY

   Dependent, elder abuse at institutional settings is an ill examined and basically hidden phenomenon. Physical restrictions appear to be common practice and professionals do not generally regard them as elder abuse. The infrastructure and resources of the institutions, elderly residents with history of dementia-like disorders and the professionals’ being unaware of this phenomenon are, among others, very powerful risk factors for the occurrence and perpetuation of this type of abuse of the institutionalised elder population.

KEY WORDS

   Abuse, elderly people, institutional care, physical restriction.

Vol. 15 nº4-2004