Restraints

I just discovered that the nursing home used restraints to tie down my father – is this abuse?

Physical (or chemical) restraints can be appropriate, but only in circumstances in which the resident is a potential harm to himself or to others.  Generally, the decision to use restraints should be considered as a medical decision by a physician, not as a tool to control a nursing home population.

You should be concerned if restraints were used against your loved one and without your knowledge and consent.  If it can later be determined that restraints were, in fact, not necessary, the nursing home could be liable for damages.