On June 21, 2024, a document was created, which can be consulted here, bearing 13,287 signatures. It states that the practice of physical restraints on the elderly violates their rights to freedom, physical integrity, and dignity, asserting it is “urgent to bring its use closer to zero.”
The issues raised include the development of pressure ulcers, muscle atrophy, or joint injuries, as well as emotional, behavioral, and cognitive matters.
“In Portugal, it is common to find elderly people immobilized in health institutions and Residential Structures for the Elderly. In fact, this form of violence has become so normalized in our society that, unfortunately, many have deemed its application necessary and ceased to question the available alternatives,” the petition states, as reported today by Público.
The document, promoted by nurse and blogger Carmen Garcia, reminds that in “many European countries,” such as the United Kingdom and Sweden, the practice of physically restraining the elderly has been subject to strict regulation, adding that Spain “is preparing to make 2025 the year of zero restraints.”
“It is time for Portugal as well to take the step towards eliminating this archaic practice that violates the dignity of the elderly,” it emphasizes.
The petitioners aim to ban the use of physical restraints except in extreme situations and after exhausting all alternatives, which should be duly recorded.
They also wish for the “rare cases” dependent on physical restraint to “involve a health professional’s prescription, frequent evaluations, hourly records of progress, and never exceed a period of 12 hours.”
“All restraint devices used must be approved, prohibiting any type of restraint performed with inappropriate techniques and materials (e.g., sheets),” it indicates.
Recalling that Portugal is the fourth most aged country in the world, the document stresses that it is time to place “the dignity and rights of the elderly at the top” of social concerns.
