Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

Predisposing Risk Factors for Restraint Use

  • Many of the precipitating risk factors for restraint use may have previously been predisposing factors but the change in settings and client situation threatens the client’s ability to cope.

1. Advancing Chronological Age

2. Cognitive Changes
• Moderate-severe dementia
• Trauma

3. Decreased/Inability to Communicate
• Aphasia

4. Fecal & Urinary Incontinence

5. History of Falls/ Fear of Falls

6. Increasing Dependence
• Decline in mobility
• Increasing dependence for activities of daily living

7. Psychiatric Conditions

8. Responsive Behaviours
• Aggression, history of violence, injury to self or others
• Anxiety
• Challenging/Disruptive behaviours
• Restlessness, wandering
• Risk of injury to self or others

9. Sensory Impairments
• Deafened or hard of hearing
• Blind or low-vision impairment

Clinical Management
Promoting Safety: Alternative Approaches to the Use of Restraints
Point of Care Resources