Is it legal to place a nanny-cam in a private nursing home to see if Dad is being abused?

From the sound of things, likely this is your dad's way of trying to get you to do what he wants. That being said, you are right that you'd feel horrible if he was telling the truth. I think you'd see bruising (elders generally bruise easily), but still a camera may set your mind to rest.

As long as the camera is focused on your dad, I don't see a legal issue but every state is different. You may want to check with www.ltcombusdsman.org. Go to the site, type in the Zip code of the nursing home, and your ombudsman (representative) can give you the information you need. Good luck,
Carol

When I put my mom in a local NH for skilled nursing, when signing the papers I was told that I could put a camera in her room if I felt uncomfortable about anything.

People are video recorded on a daily basis without their permission and often their knowledge, due to the increased prevalence of security cams...and elder-care / protection is a big deal for everyone. If the NH carefully screens their staff and supervises closely, then they should be just as eager to clear their name as you are.

Moving him is not an easy task especially if he is seeking a medicaid bed. Moving him is a massive endeavor for suspicion only. Moving him? The ombuds link above did not work for me. Since none of us are attorneys you will likely need to seek one but in the meantime you can google the topic. as i recall i went to defendthyself which had links to spy cameras. among them is a wrist watch...that is not installing a cam. Privacy areas by federal law not allowed so whatever evidence you might obtain must be video on your loved one and no others. the problem with nursing homes is the cna is in the private room doing what he/she wishes while no one is looking. Do it! There is also a pen device that you could leave on his nightstand or...there is a baseball cap type hat although the cna may take it off...looks like according to FEDERAL laws audio is not allowed so the individual recommending he be moved based on some suspicion seems a bit radical at this time. in my opinion a wrist watch is not installing or hiding...its in plain recordable view. Similarly if an attorney tells you it is not legal it begs the question people that have recorded, discovered abuse/maltreatment have taken their videos to attorneys who have sued individuals and facilities. if its illegal how were cases brought?

I agree and you don't know if it is truth or not but I will share this much with you. This does go on and you are right to also (I would) go and speak to the head nurses there to tell them what was said to you. They will investigate. No elder should ever be abused if this is indeed true. It has happened way too many times. You hear about it and read about it so it may not be as far fetched a story as you think. Check it out and ease your mind and let the nurses know of this right away. Carol gave that great link and I would follow up with that too. Also check to see if this particular nursing home has had any similar occurrences or complaints. Another quick thought here. Could it be possible they were trying to restrain him from lashing out at them? I am only asking because patients do this to nurses all the time. They have to protect their selves too. But on second thought you said he can not feed himself so his use of arms may not be able to do this. Hopefully he is not coercing you to take him home with this story but I would most definitely talk to someone about this because you just don't know. Has he ever said any of this type of thing to you before? I would like to come back to this page and await your response. Do yourself a favor and talk to the administration there of your concerns. You will feel better for doing so. Blessings.

Hi all. The ombudsman website quoted has a typo with an extra s. It should be www.ltcombudsman.org. Thanks for the great resource.

Another thing to think about - since you say both your mom and dad are there and share the same apartment - what does your mom say? If she doesn't have Alz/Dementia, I would think talking to her quietly without your dad could also give you an insight. My mother-in-law used to say the nurses were mean to her too, but I never saw any signs of abuse. I believe she was being treated well - she just didn't like it there. She didn't understand that the nurses were responsible for more than just her. When she pushed the button - she basically wanted them to come running to find out what she needed. But it's still hard when someone else is caring for your elder and you hear things like that and hoping they're getting the right care and you're doing the right thing. Good luck!!

Thank you everyone. I have a call into the director for a frank discussion. I will definitely call our ombudsman, Carol, great idea! Thank you for reminding me of that. I have not seen any sign, bruising, of abuse, and yes, he bruises easily. Yes, Crystal, he lashes out. Mom lives alone in the apartment and while she feels guilty he is not home there is no way she could care for him. Plus, he is very verbally abusive to everyone, including Mom, so bringing him back to the apartment would be a nightmare for her and me, the only caregiver. He's still in denial about his physically inabilities and general condition and I suspect that will never change. Mom does not make good decisions partly because her whole life, she didn't have to; Dad made all the decisions. A year ago, he didn't call 911 to help him up when he would fall because he threatened her not to. Instead, he sat on the floor and his arm bled for two hours and she would wipe it up. Hope this gives you all a better picture!! Now she's living independently, (with A LOT of help) and doing fine.

File the report with the NH and work with them. Sounds manipulative to me.

I agree about the staff....I would be scared to make enemies...I already had Mom was only temporary for a broken hip...and was taking here home early. so they gave me no training on how to change her laying down etc....I started to record on my Ipad them doing the last change so we could get outta there....so I would remember how they did it. They had a huge issue saying s an invasion of her privacy.... but I know it is not right just figured not gonna argue at this point, lets just get her home. we are 20 mins away from getting outta this awful place....and set down cam, but left sound on! I still if I have time will file a medicare quality of care report on them!!!

having had the experience of talking to don, head nurses administrators etc it only makes matters less desireable...you are asking the powers that be to police themselves which is not going to happen...i suggest checking the laws for your zip code and going from there.. on some links i saw nanny spy cams that are watches which you could put on your father (if there is no theft at your dad's facility) you might staart with the link defendthyself.com on the left as i recall there were links to spy equipment. i agree, find out to ensure your dad is ok.