Helen, aged 82, is living in a residential care facility and is very upset. She has Parkinson’s Disease and is now unable to physically care for herself. Mentally she is still quite acute, but she does not sleep well. She is mobile and uses a walking frame but has difficulty dressing herself and needs assistance when showering. She had a few falls at home before she came to the care facility. 

Her partner who is still living at home, is 85 years old and too frail to care for her any longer.

The partner is very upset and believes that Helen’s human rights are being abused because she has been subjected to chemical restraint. Helen has told her partner that every night the worker on duty insists that she take a sleeping tablet even though she constantly tells them she does not want to. Her partner has asked the staff why this is necessary and they say that without the sleeping tablet Helen gets up and walks around the corridors of the facility during the night, or goes to the lounge area to read. Neither Helen nor her partner understand why this is a problem. She does not disturb anyone else and she is not concerned about the fact that she does not sleep well at night. 

You work on the day shift and have developed a good relationship with Helen and her partner. They have come to you asking for assistance with making a formal complaint. 

You are not sure what you can do or whether it is within the scope of your role to provide assistance. 

What action can you take?