In the complex world of aged care, ensuring the safety and dignity of residents while
managing challenging behaviours is a delicate balance. Restrictive practice training,
such as that offered by Resolution Education, is crucial in equipping aged care staff
with the knowledge and skills to navigate sensitive situations effectively and ethically.
Understanding Restrictive Practices
Restrictive practices in aged care settings refer to any action that limits a resident’s
freedom of movement or behaviour. These practices should only be used as a last
resort when all other options have been exhausted, and they must be implemented
with the utmost care and consideration.
The Need for Comprehensive Training
- Legal and Ethical Considerations: Staff must be well-versed in the legal framework surrounding restrictive practices, including the requirement for informed consent and residents’ rights.
- Alternative Strategies: Before resorting to restrictive practices, staff should be equipped with various de-escalation techniques and person-centred approaches to manage challenging behaviours.
- Safe Application: When restrictive practices are deemed necessary, staff must know how to implement them safely to minimise the risk of harm to residents and themselves.
Examples of Safe Applications
- Environmental Restraint: Staff might use coded door locks in cases where a resident with dementia is at risk of wandering into unsafe areas. This should be balanced with providing residents with safe, supervised outdoor spaces.
- Chemical Restraint: Medication might be considered when a resident experiences severe agitation that poses a risk to themselves or others. This should only be done under strict medical supervision after exhausting non- pharmacological interventions.
- Physical Restraint: In rare instances where a resident is at immediate risk of falling or injury, gentle physical guidance or support might be necessary. Resolution Education’s training emphasises using the least restrictive form of restraint for the shortest time possible.
The Resolution Education Approach to Restrictive Practice Training in Aged Care
Resolution Education’s Restraint Training focuses on:
- Restraint and Restrictive Practices is always the last resort in any situation;
- Recognising signs of when restraint may be necessary;
- Understanding everyone’s role in the restraint process;
- Learning safe, non-punitive restraint techniques; and
- Practising team-based restraint scenarios in a controlled environment.
By prioritising comprehensive training, aged care facilities can ensure their staff are
prepared to handle challenging situations with confidence, compassion, and respect
for residents’ rights.
Restrictive practice training is not just about compliance; it’s about fostering a culture
of safety and dignity in aged care. Through programs like those offered by
Resolution Education, aged care staff can develop the skills needed to navigate
complex situations, always keeping the well-being of residents at the forefront of
their practice.
For aged care providers looking to enhance their teams skills in this critical area,
Resolution Education offers customised training solutions tailored to your
organisation’s specific needs.
Contact Resolution Education today to design a training program that ensures your
staff are equipped to provide the highest standard of care while minimising the use of
restrictive practices.
