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tawoodaa Asked January 2015

Can I put a camera in the nursing home room and monitor my Mom's room from my computer?

When it comes time to put Mom in a nursing home. I want to request a camera in the room that I can access from my computer at any time.....I was told by a HomeCare organization that nursing homes will not allow this. I think I should have a right to monitor my Mom anytime I want and technology allows us to do so. Any information on this topic would be appreciated.

Oregon Dec 2016
Recently here in OR there is a 2.7 million dollar law suit. Mother and Dad died within 3 weeks of each other. Both in the Nursing Home only about 9 months. The Mom died last. SHE HAD A COLONY OF FRUIT FLIES LIVING IN HER MOUTH!!!!! She had dementia and was 92 poor thing... This was total collusion. Many people had to feed her, rotating ... and SEE the colony of Fruit Flies living in her MOUTH!! God protect us all!

johnharold Oct 2016
If your loved one used to work for the secret service I agree. Or perhaps they have millions of dollars and know account information that could lead a criminal to steal their money. Also, maybe your grandmother is wearing valuables like Kim Kardashian. Imagine the information they might have access to digging through video feeds of people who have trouble turning the television on. Then what about the guy that walks into the Long Term Care facility and steals and rapes? Notice how anyone can walk into these places. You guys must be voting for Donald Trump.

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freqflyer Oct 2016
John, cameras can back fire on the situation. My boss, who's wife had late stage Alzheimer's, decided to put up cameras in his house so he could watch what his wife was doing during the day... well he had a wonderful caregiver whom his wife just adored and he told the caregiver about the cameras. She was ok with them, but after a week the cameras made her so uncomfortable that she quit.

My boss wished he had never put up those cameras, as the caregiver had been so good with his wife, and it became a real struggle for him to bring in a new caregiver that his wife accepted. His wife kept asking over and over for the other caregiver. He said it was so sad seeing his beautiful wife so upset.

pamstegma Oct 2016
Absolutely right, anything can be hacked. And if you have stuff with voice commands like Alexa or Siri or Google Now or Firestick, etc., it is listening all the time. Anyone that can get into it can listen too.

freqflyer Oct 2016
With all the hacking going on now a days, any type of digital device recording could wind up on who knows what type of website worldwide.

Look at what happened the other day, when many website went down due to hacking, and this also involved digital devices at home [coffee makers, lights, garage door, thermostat temps, etc.] that are managed with one's Smart type cellphone.

johnharold Oct 2016
You can use a tablet to monitor the caregivers. I use Android tablets and the software Airdroid can control the tablet remotely via the internet. The options for software are many, like motion detecting, live monitoring, etc. The only way the Long Term Care facility could stop me is to tape over the camera on the tablet. However they do not have my permission to touch our private property. It would make for an interesting legal case. They have no way of knowing if I am watching, listening, or recording without touching the tablet.

Virginia50 Feb 2015
I doubt the NH will allow this. The NH my mother was in did not allow video cameras or any type of pictures to be taken.

xxxxxxxx Feb 2015
Sorry Pam, it took me a while to type my last response, and in doing so, I duplicated some of your answer. You are absolutely right.

xxxxxxxx Feb 2015
Actually, now that I think about it, even though I use one in my own home, it is aimed at the bedroom and not the bathroom and is only seen from the monitor I carry. A camera that is using the internet is less secure. Also, the patient may not really want to be on camera all the time, especially if they are being un/dressed or having their underwear changed. The caregivers may be self-conscience being on camera. If it's a semi-private room, there is the roommate and their family members to take into consideration.

In retrospect, I think that you should just pick the best facility that you/she can find and afford and trust them. I use the monitor because MIL gets out of and back into bed many times. I am only one person, not like in a facility where there are aides who get to go home and rest, LOL.

pamstegma Feb 2015
You can't put a video cam anywhere people might undress. If you can see your naked mother on the internet, so can a million others.

xxxxxxxx Feb 2015
I don't know why there would be a problem. There are video cameras in daycare centers and even the dog kennel where I leave my dogs.

There would probably have to be lots of legal forms filled out first. I'd ask at the facility what their thought are.

thezookeeper Feb 2015
You cannot record sound. You need to check to make sure that none of the admissions documents that were signed included any restrictions or limitations on video recording on the premises. Most do restrict this, so it would be technically a violation of the facilities rules, if you get caught. You can also be prosecuted in some places, for violating any other patient's privacy by recording them without their consent. Most facilities would love to make you hand over your cell phone at the entrance, if they could enforce that. Psych facilities are required to restrict videotaping on the premises.

Olmaandme Feb 2015
Despite the rising tide of allegations concerning the abuse/ neglect of clients in nursing homes the debate rages on as to whether or not they are or will be allowed.Hidden cams (granny cams) may be illegal and considered covert surveillance unless the facility / state agrees to them.
Although most nursing facilities are against their installation the reasons isn't because they want to hide anything.Cams and monitors (like baby monitors) of other sorts can be hacked and used for some pretty strange,perverted entertainment.There is also the questionof privacy not only for the client for the staff.
When your elders or children are in the care of others you either trust those caregivers or do it yourself.

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