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be necessary “finally more resources and a real reform”. “One cannot say that we are unfortunately suspending fundamental rights because there is a lack of staff”criticized Susanne Jaquemar, head of department for resident representation at the agency network.
27,197 restrictions on freedom were newly reported to the residents’ representatives, around 16 percent more than in the previous year. The number is even higher than in the 2020 pandemic year, when many people in facilities related to Covid-19 were often unjustifiably isolated. Compared to the pre-Corona year 2019, it even means a plus “from an unbelievable 52 percent”said Jaquemar.
Assume a high number of unreported cases
“It is particularly worrying that we have to assume that there is a high number of unreported measures, because the overload of nursing staff is increasingly reflected in incomplete documentation and failure to report violations of fundamental rights”, explained the expert. At the same time, she emphasized “that many nurses continue to work with great commitment in a particularly challenging professional field and achieve great things there”.
The residents’ representatives have the legal mandate to review restrictions on freedom in residential and care facilities. You meet more and more often “to exhausted, frustrated and overwhelmed caregivers who are just able to provide basic care”. In many institutions would “meanwhile significantly less employment and activities” required.
Sedating drug more commonly used
“We see increasing immobility in many elderly people, which is accompanied by a deterioration in their general condition. Often the essential care is missing”reported Jaquemar. “Sedating medications are also often used to curb the urge to move. Every second newly reported restriction of freedom in nursing homes is one through medication.” During the controls, it often turns out that there are more lenient measures or medication that is given in far too high doses or for too long. “It is reasonable to assume that medication is increasingly being used to cope with everyday care and support”according to the 2022 annual report published on Tuesday.
Staff are let down
In some cases, the residents’ representatives have them examined in court. In the expert opinion was already several times from “dangerous care” been mentioned. From the sponsors of the institutions “let down”, the staff often have no choice but to find solutions to cope with everyday life – ignoring the professional demands of care, including violations of the Home Residence Act. The residents’ representative was alarmed: “Compulsive personal hygiene because there is not enough time for needs-based care, no mobilization outdoors, massive sedative medication and bed rest as early as 5:00 p.m. – unfortunately this is everyday life for more and more people who live in nursing homes.”
Illegal co-isolation
The residents’ representation also had several situations judicially examined in which bed neighbors of Covid-positive people in nursing homes in double rooms were preventively isolated, even if they had tested negative several times and were not required to be quarantined. The very old and previously ill people therefore had a high risk of infection. “Co-isolations are inadmissible as a restriction of freedom, this has been confirmed by courts several times”according to Jaquemar.
Source: Nachrichten
