24 February 2022
Dear family member/resident representative,
I am writing to provide you with an update regarding behavioural support and the use of restrictive practices in our aged care centres.
Following the release of updated legislation from the Federal Government, we will be updating our approach to behaviour support in our aged care centres, and in particular, the use of restrictive practices (formerly known as ‘restraints’).
At IRT, we are proactive in caring for our residents who express needs or stressors through their behaviour. We use a range of personalised strategies and procedures to minimise activities that may negatively impact a resident’s behaviour, and have always worked to ensure that restrictive practices are only implemented when all other best-practice behaviour support strategies have been investigated, applied and documented.
The updated legislation requires us to develop a Behaviour Support Plan for all residents who are identified as requiring behaviour support or who have restrictive practices considered or used as part of their care. The Behaviour Support Plan will contain information about each resident that will help us to better understand their background and any changed behaviours, and will form part of, rather than replace, their individual care and services plan.
The updated legislation also features revised definitions of restrictive practices which are permitted to be used as a last resort in aged care centres. There are now five types of restrictive practices identified in the legislation (previously there were three) – Chemical, Mechanical, Physical, Environmental and Seclusion. Mechanical restraint now refers to the use of a device to prevent, restrict or subdue a resident’s movement, while physical restraint is now considered the use of physical force to prevent, restrict or subdue movement. Examples of physical restraint may include pulling a resident in a direction they do not wish to go or holding a resident down to administer medication. Seclusion is a type of restraint that is not recommended unless required in the event of an emergency.
We believe that best practice behaviour support processes should be designed specifically for the person involved. If your loved one is assessed as requiring restrictive practices to manage behaviour, we will work with you to develop their Behaviour Support Plan, including requiring your consent for the use of particular restrictive practices.
Thank you for your ongoing support. If you have any questions please contact your Care Manager.
Yours sincerely
Nia Briguglio
EGM – Aged Care Centres
