Restrictive Practice in Older Adult Care

NICE (2007) stated that there are approximately 700,000 people in the UK with Dementia. Astonishingly the likelihood of people with Down syndrome developing dementia increases to 75% when they are over the age of 65, (Rasher, 2005). Older People with learning disabilities are also more likely to develop dementia earlier in their later life when compared to the general population, (Department of Health, 2009). The management of behaviours related to Dementia has recently become a subject of much scrutiny (Anti-psychotic medications, mechanical devices, inappropriate use of physical intervention). The use of restrictive practices when supporting people with learning disabilities who do not have dementia is widely reported upon and researched, however in line with this research and guidance there is the acceptance that if these practices are used, then it follows a comprehensive assessment of the individual; and that the aim is to reduce the use of restrictive practices. The assessment and justification of restrictive practices within dementia services appears to be less co-ordinated.