Using physical restraints in aged care is a bit like walking a tightrope. You must keep balance while making sure no one gets hurt. There are rules to follow, paperwork to fill out, and real people at the centre of it all. If you work in aged care or health care, you know just how important this topic is. Let us walk through it together—plain and simple.

What Are Physical Restraints?

Physical restraints are anything that stops a person from moving freely. Think of seat belts on a chair that stop someone from standing, or bed rails that stop someone from rolling out. Even a tightly tucked-in blanket can count.

But here is the thing: not everything that looks like a restraint is one. It all comes down to why it is used. If something is there to help someone feel safe and they can move if they want to, it might not be classed as a restraint. On the flip side, if it stops movement and the person does not agree to it, that is a different story.

Why Are Restraints Used?

Sometimes, care workers are faced with tricky situations. A person might be at risk of falling, or they may be confused and try to leave the building. It can be tempting to reach for a restraint to keep them safe.

But here is a question to ask: Is there another way?

Using restraints might seem like the easy fix, but they can lead to problems—both physical and emotional. Bruises, muscle weakness, anxiety, and even injury are not unusual. That is why restraints should be the last resort, not the first step.

Rules You Must Follow

In Australia, there are strict rules around physical restraints in aged care. These rules are not there to make your life harder. They are there to protect the rights and dignity of older people.

Here is what you need to know:

• Informed consent is required. The person (or their legal representative) must agree before a restraint is used.
  
• A clinical assessment must be done. This helps make sure the restraint is truly needed.
  
• Alternatives must be considered first. Things like more staff supervision, changing the room setup, or providing calming activities should come first.
  
• Use must be clearly recorded. Every time a restraint is used, it needs to be written down in detail.
  
• Regular checks are essential. You need to watch for signs of pain, distress, or injury while the restraint is in place.
  
• The restraint must be removed as soon as it is not needed.
  

Keeping up with all this may feel like juggling plates, but it is a part of good aged care practices.

Incident Response: When Things Go Wrong

No one wants to think about it, but sometimes things do not go to plan. Maybe a restraint was used without proper permission. Maybe it caused harm. That is when you need to know how to respond.

Incident response in these cases needs to be quick, clear, and respectful. Here is a rough guide:

1. Make sure the person is safe. This always comes first.
   
2. Tell the right people. This might include your supervisor, the person’s family, or legal guardians.
   
3. Write it all down. Include what happened, when, where, and who was involved.
   
4. Report it. If the incident meets the legal threshold, it must be reported to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
   
5. Review the care plan. You may need to change how things are done moving forward.
   

Mistakes can be learning moments—but only if you take the time to learn from them.

The Role of Restraint Reporting

Reporting is more than ticking a box. It is about being honest, careful, and thinking ahead.

When you report restraint use properly, it helps:

• Spot patterns in behaviour.
  
• Show that alternatives are being tried.
  
• Keep everyone on the same page.
  
• Prove that the person’s safety and rights come first.
  

In short, restraint reporting tells the story behind the care. And that story needs to be true, respectful, and complete.

Daily Care Without Restraints

You may be thinking, "What do I do if I cannot use restraints?" Good question. There are lots of other ways to keep people safe and well-cared-for without tying them down—literally or figuratively.

Here are some practical ideas:

• Regular walks and gentle exercise. This helps with strength and balance.
  
• Soothing routines. Soft music, warm drinks, or a favourite chair can do wonders.
  
• Engaging activities. Puzzles, painting, or even folding laundry can keep hands and minds busy.
  
• Safer environments. Use floor mats, better lighting, or move furniture to reduce trip hazards.
  
• Staff training. The more your team knows about behaviour patterns, the better they can respond.
  

Sometimes, it is the little things that make the biggest difference. A warm smile, a gentle tone, or just sitting quietly with someone can help avoid distress—and reduce the need for restraint altogether.

Legal and Ethical Stuff (Without the Jargon)

You do not need to be a lawyer to understand this. But you do need to be careful. Physical restraint is a big deal legally.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Unlawful restraint is a breach of a person’s human rights.
  
• You can be held responsible if rules are not followed.
  
• The law says you must put the person’s well-being before anything else.
  

Think of it this way: if you would not want it done to your grandmother, it probably should not be done to someone else.

Talking With Families

Let us be honest—talking about physical restraints with families can be awkward. No one wants to hear that their loved one might need to be restrained, even for safety reasons.

So how do you have that conversation?

• Be honest. Stick to the facts and avoid sugar-coating.
  
• Explain the risks and reasons. Use simple words and give examples.
  
• Show that other steps have been taken first.
  
• Invite questions. Give people time to think and respond.
  
• Listen. Families often just want to feel heard.
  

And remember, families are part of the care team too. Keeping them in the loop helps everyone.

Making It Better, Bit by Bit

Big changes do not happen overnight. But small steps in the right direction can lead to big wins. You can start by:

• Reviewing current care plans.
  
• Holding short team chats about restraint use.
  
• Checking if everyone knows how to report incidents.
  
• Asking what has worked well without restraint.
  

Keep it simple. Keep it steady. And remember why you are doing this—for the people in your care.

A Final Word

You chose to work in aged care or health care for a reason. Maybe you like helping others. Maybe you have a big heart. Maybe you are just really good at remembering where people put their teeth.

Whatever the reason, you are doing important work. Physical restraints are a part of that work, but they should never be the whole picture.

Stick to safe practices. Follow the rules. Talk to your team. Ask questions. Speak up when something feels off. Most of all, keep your care human.

Because at the end of the day, you are not just caring for bodies—you are caring for people.