Do No Harm and Financing for an Aging Population

Week 3 Discussion

Take a position as to whether or not nursing homes should have the authority to restrain a resident. Next, determine who should be held liable if the resident sustains injuries while being restrained. Provide a rationale for your response.

Physical restraints are any type of physical or mechanical device or method that is used on a patient’s body and restricts his or her movement. Physical restraint devices include arm restraints, leg restraints, ties and vests, lap trays and cushions, hand mitts, and bed rails. I do believe that nursing homes should be able to use restrain residents ONLY in certain cases. Retrains should be used to keep the resident safe and also the environment around them when they are combative, and unable to control. I believe if a patient gets hurt the nursing home should be held accountable. Studies have shown that the harm caused by restraints usually outweighs the potential benefits. In addition, some studies suggest that restraints are less effective than safer methods to prevent accidents.

Review the video titled “Senator Elizabeth Warren – The Future of Long-Term Care Policy: Continuing the Conversation” (9 min 32 s). Click here to view the video if it is not playing below. Next, describe the fiscal impact of the growth and aging of the population on long-term care services, and take a position as to whether or not the federal government should continue to provide subsidies to offset the cost to families utilizing long-term care services. Provide support for your response.

There is a big fiscal impact of the growth and aging of the population on long term care services. Both Medicaid and Medicare are the two major public insurance for long term care. From the video Dr. Chernof stated that Medicare was built for the 1970’s, and this isn’t working for the baby boomers who are now returning and needs long term care. As the speakers have said Medicare and Medicaid needs to be revisited to come up with a better situation for long term care. I believe that the government should continue to provide subsides to offset the cost to families utilizing long-term care services. This will allow families with expenses that come along when care for a member of the family. Medicaid and Medicare doesn’t cover all of the expenses that comes along.

http://www.nursinghomeabuseguide.org/physical-restraints/injury