A1 Using restraints in nursing homes is being re-examined around the nation, spurred by new Federal regulations discouraging the use of physical or chemical restraints on the aged.

My findings indicated a positive beginning in changing care to nursing home residents, a reduction in the use of physical and chemical restraints, and some progress in staffing, evaluations and collaboration by nurses, doctors and other staff members.

To the Editor: "Unshackle Nursing Home Patients" (editorial, April 8), on physical and chemical restraints of the elderly, must be applauded.

But if adopted, they would strongly reinforce the illegality of using physical or chemical restraints to discipline a patient or convenience the staff.

- freedom from ill-treatment: for people with disabilities to be not secluded from the rest of society nor be subjected to physical and chemical restraints, and to be treated only with their consent.

The vast majority of nursing homes in New York State and in the country are in compliance with laws and regulations governing the use of physical and chemical restraints.

It is for such situations, where even patient nurse's aides and nurses cannot restore calm, that "chemical restraint" is prescribed.

Both bills ban chemical restraints and restraints that impair breathing or otherwise threaten life.

Elaborating on the policy of not using pharmaceutical or chemical restraints, even for the very frail elderly, Mr. Jones said: "No one is ever strapped in.

Spurred by new Federal regulations discouraging the use of physical or chemical restraints, and by a changing view of what is good medical practice, a consensus is emerging that far too many institutionalized old people are being restrained.