Some facilities use isolation as a management tool rather than a legitimate medical intervention. This practice violates federal regulations and New Mexico’s elder protection laws.
If your loved one is being isolated and forced into confinement in a nursing home, seek legal help from a knowledgeable attorney. Our experienced Santa Fe nursing home abuse attorneys are here to help you determine if you have a case.
Learn more about your legal options during a free consultation with one of our qualified, trusted attorneys. We do not charge any upfront costs for our legal services and only get paid if you receive your settlement.
Schedule your free consultation today: 505-677-7777.
How Nursing Homes Use Isolation as Abuse
In Santa Fe nursing homes, isolation takes various forms that may not be immediately recognizable as abuse. Families need to be vigilant about the treatment that their loved one may receive in a nursing home.
Unnecessary Room Confinement
Some facilities routinely confine residents to their rooms without medical justification. Unlike legitimate medical isolation for contagious conditions, these restrictions serve the facility’s convenience rather than the resident’s welfare.
This practice often targets residents perceived as “problematic” or requiring more attention. Staff may lock doors or install barriers, such as putting a chair in front of the door, to prevent residents from leaving.
Other actions staff may take could include:
- Remove mobility devices like walkers or wheelchairs to limit movement
- Threaten consequences if residents leave their rooms
- Claim false medical reasons for confinement
Social Interaction Restrictions
When residents are not allowed to interact socially, they are deprived of basic human connection. This interaction is essential for their mental health and cognitive function. Some of the ways nursing homes may restrict a resident’s social interaction restricted includes:
- Placing residents in remote areas of the facility, far from activity centers
- Excluding residents from group activities without justification
- Scheduling care in ways that prevent participation in social events
- Limiting interactions with other residents as punishment
- Creating arbitrary rules about socialization between residents
Not Allowing Visitors
While facilities must maintain security, patterns of restricting visitors often signal intentional isolation tactics. Some nursing homes create barriers or place limitations on families, reducing how often they can visit their loved ones.
Nursing homes may implement excessive visitation restrictions beyond legitimate health protocols. One way this happens is by implementing overly complicated check-in requirements that do not align with proper health protocols.
Families should look out for warning signs if they are restricted from visiting their loved one in a nursing home:
- Scheduling resident activities or medications during typical family visiting hours
- Relocating residents to different areas without notifying family members
- Making visitors feel unwelcome through staff behavior or facility policies
Communication Barriers
Communication restrictions violate federal nursing home regulations guaranteeing communication rights. Most isolation cases may involve reducing residents’ ability to communicate with the outside world.
For example, residents may not have access to a phone or have one placed out of reach. Other communication barrier tactics could involve monitoring or limiting mail and correspondence.
Although some elderly residents may not use the Internet as their first form of communication, they should not be restricted from it. They have the right to internet access and electronic communications.
If staff purposely fail to deliver messages from family and friends or do not provide required communication assistance for disabled residents, they could be isolating a resident.
Chemical Restraints to Enforce Isolation
Nursing homes are greatly restricted from using chemical restraints. Ignoring these restrictions is a violation of federal regulations. Some of the most disturbing cases of isolation involve staff using medications used to restrain residents and facilitate isolation.
Staff may use chemical restraints to isolate residents by:
- Administering sedatives to keep residents in their rooms
- Using antipsychotics without an appropriate diagnosis to manage behavior
- Increasing medication before family visits to make residents less communicative
- Medicating residents who resist isolation rather than addressing their social needs
- Failing to document medication reasons in resident charts accurately
Why Nursing Homes Resort to Confining Elderly Residents
Nursing homes may use isolation and confinement for reasons that have nothing to do with residents’ welfare. Families need to identify a facility’s motive so they are familiar when it involves the mistreatment of their loved ones.
Some of the reasons why nursing homes resort to confining residents:
- Critical staffing shortages
- Managing residents with “difficult” behaviors
- Corporate profit priorities
- Inadequate training for managing complex needs
- Fear of falling causes facilities to enforce excessive confinement
The Impact of Isolation on Elderly Health
Isolation in nursing homes can trigger physical and psychological impacts that can increase mortality risk. Some residents may feel depressed and may deal with suicidal thoughts. The sense of meaning and purpose declines without social connection, which can diminish the resident’s quality of life.
If a nursing home limits or blocks visitation, isolation can disrupt family bonds and support systems. These visitations and relationships are essential for emotional support. Also, family members may monitor health changes or care quality. When they are unable to do so, the facility may be blocking visitation to hide visible signs of nursing home abuse or neglect.
Residents who are isolated in a nursing home may have cognitive deterioration that affects their ability to problem solve, make decisions and maintain conversations.
New Mexico’s Legal Protections Against Elder Isolation
New Mexico provides strong legal safeguards against nursing home isolation abuse. These protections give families practical tools to combat improper confinement practices in Santa Fe facilities.
The New Mexico Adult Protective Services Act defines “abuse” as the intentional deprivation of services necessary to maintain an adult’s mental and physical health. If isolation causes or may lead to psychological or bodily harm, it can be considered a form of abuse.
When isolation abuse occurs, New Mexico law enforcement authorities can implement consequences, including civil lawsuits, administrative complaints and potential criminal charges in severe cases. Santa Fe courts recognize isolation as serious abuse warranting significant damages.
Call PKSD if Your Loved One Is Dealing with Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse
Isolation and confinement represent severe forms of nursing home abuse that can devastate your loved one’s health and quality of life. These practices are potentially deadly violations of legal rights and human dignity.
At PKSD New Mexico New Mexico, we have helped numerous families get answers to their legal questions and represent their entire case. Our attorneys understand the complex laws of nursing home abuse. Although we cannot undo the trauma your loved one experienced, we can help you and your family seek the justice you deserve. When we represent you, there are no upfront costs or fees to pay. We only get paid for our services if we win your case.
Learn more about your legal options. Call 505-677-7777 today.
