After 12 years of care we have finally taken the decision to move Dad into a nursing home. The transition has been very good, and Mum now gets to spend time being with Dad rather then caring for him each day. Lately though Dad has had a few falls and they have taken to restraining him in a day chair with a table and they are talking about a lap belt. I hate it, and he gets very stressed when they do it. I don't want him to fall and he has taken to wandering during the night when staff numbers are down. On the other hand we would never do that at home, we would simply just have to deal with his wandering as best we can while keeping him safe. I really think that there must be a better way. He walks (shuffles) with a walker, but can't seem to remember that he should take the walker when he gets up. As a result they find him walking unassisted in the halls, or he falls somewhere in his room. I have said to the manager that the restraints make us unhappy, and that on balance I would rather that he fall then be restrained for hours on end, but still when we go in, he is confined in the day chair with the table and bed rails are being used. The people there are all very nice and I don't want to make them angry after all they have Dad's welfare in their hands.
I know the restraints are difficult; but he doesn't understand and the ramifications of that could be life threatening. Take care.