The use of coercive measures in the entities holding the long-term care for the elderly

The article presents the legal basis and the principles of using direct coercion in the entities taking care of the elderly. Use of direct coercion in social welfare homes for persons with mental disorders according to the rules specified in the Act on the Protection of Mental Health. Direct coercion shall be applied to people with mental disorders only if the person has

committed an assassination attempt against the life or health of his own or another person, or against public safety, in a violent manner destroys or damages objects in the environment, seriously disrupts or prevents operation of a health care entity or a social service facility. At the same time it introduced restrictions on the use of all forms of coercive measure by indicating what type of product can be used in certain situations. Coercive measures are holding, forced administration of medication, immobilization, isolation. Particular attention was paid to the lack of legal regulations regarding the use of direct coercion in medical

entities. It is about patient care and treatment and nursing care as well as patient wards other than a branch of psychiatry. In this case, the basis for their application will be regulations contained in the Act on Professions of Physician and Dentist and the provisions of the Criminal Code. In order to provide necessary medical care, the doctor who deals with patients with mental disorders which show somatic background may use direct coercion.