A person filed a complaint against a residential and long-term care centre (CHSLD) for using medication too often to control a man in its care.
Suffering from dementia, the resident was easily agitated when there was too much noise around him. This is precisely the case at the CHSLD: call bells, television, conversations and so on.
His care plan did not specify how to calm him down. Because there were no instructions on the subject, staff turned to medication. This is a control measure that should only be used as a last resort.
At the Protecteur du citoyen’s request, the man's intervention plan was revised. It now suggests various ways of calming him down. Staff can use these to try to manage the situation without medication.
Control measures affect, among other things, the freedom and dignity of the persons concerned. That is why they must be used in exceptional circumstances, in compliance with the applicable rules.
For more details about this real-life case and control measures, see our 2023-2024 Annual Report (in French).
The Protecteur du citoyen ensures that your rights are upheld in your dealings with Québec public services. Are you dissatisfied with the services of a Government of Québec department or agency? Or with those of a health and social services network institution (2nd level of recourse)? File a complaint by calling 1-800-463-5070 or using our online complaint form.
