Orlando Assisted Living Facility Investigated for Abuse
An Orlando assisted living facility is being investigated for excessive use of restraints on a disabled man. The man, Bryan Barboka, 26, suffers from cerebral palsy and is paralyzed except for the use of his left arm. After being restrained, he suffered a fractured shoulder and severe bruising.
Barboka's brother, David, says that the injury occurred last Wednesday but was not reported by the staff until Thursday, causing his brother to spend the night sleeping with the dislocated shoulder. The nursing home administrators said the injury occurred when Bryan Barboka became upset after going to bed and the staff had to restrain him. David said he wonders why the staff would need to so severely restrain his brother since he was paralyzed.
More information, including pictures of Barboka's injuries, are included in this report from Fox 35 Orlando:
The improper use of restraint is one of the most common causes of nursing home and assisted living facility abuse. Restraint should only be used in extreme circumstances in order to prevent harm to the resident or others and staff should be properly trained on how to restrain residents. For more information on the use of restraints, visit Solomon & Relihan's Nursing Home Advocates website.
