Restraining the elderly patient.

The use of chemical and mechanical restraints to control the behavior of cognitively impaired elderly patients is controversial. The issue frequently arises in nonpsychiatric as well as psychiatric hospital and chronic care settings. The lack of specific judicial and legislative mandates has left the decision to use restraints in the hands of hospital and nursing home administrators and medical personnel. Attention to the proven risks and potential benefits of restraints in the elderly patient may help to limit unnecessary application of these devices.