Overcoming restraint use: examining barriers in Australian aged care facilities

The purpose of this article is to discuss the outcomes of a project that sought to identify alternatives to restraint use in aged care facilities. (In Australia, the term aged care facility refers to those facilities previously known as hostels and nursing homes.) A literature review was conducted and discussion forums and individual interviews were held with interested stakeholders in Australian capital cities, as well as in a rural city in each state. Site visits were conducted at 16 aged care facilities. Participants identified legal concerns, existing organizational culture, and lack of alternatives as barriers to implementing restraint-minimization practices. Recommendations to facilitate minimal restraint are implementing national policy guidelines, adopting a best practice philosophy in relation to restraint minimization, continuing staff education related to alternatives, and maintaining constant communication with families.