Looking for video cameras to see how my dad is doing when I can't reach him by phone. Has anyone done this?

When you can't reach him by phone, why isn't he able to answer? Does he have a hearing problem? Or does he misplace it or forget to put it in his pocket? Forget to charge it? I'm assuming he has something other than a landline.

When I had to hire aids in the home, the first CNAs very strongly encouraged me to get cameras. Among other things, they said the cameras protected both the person receiving care and the aids in cases of he said-she said. I resisted at first, but they were right.

I used cameras and door open/close detectors from Wyze. I found them to be inexpensive, good quality and easy to set up and maintain. You will need Wi-Fi. I put them in the main areas (making sure not pointing to bathrooms in case people didn’t shut the door all the way!). I did not hide them.

The door open/close detectors helped me know when someone was going in or out, so I knew I people were coming when they said and staying with Mom (who at the time needed eyeballs on her 24/7) not outside without her for hours, which happened. If your dad has valuables in the home though, he needs to get them out or lock them up. Most of our theft was food when one aid kept stealing the other aids’ food, but things like jewelry or meds need to be in a lockbox because the cameras might show you who did it, but they can’t get the stuff back.

https://www.wyze.com/

Every state (or country) has different laws about cameras, but in Kansas we did not have an issue. Here there’s even a state law permitting cameras in assisted living or nursing care as long as certain guidelines are followed. I’d say the vast majority of the aids and hospice staff were unbothered and just got on with their work.

What does your Dad think?

If you or he don’t like the security cameras, you might consider an Amazon Echo or a Facebook Portal. I’ve read on the forum that at least one of those make a device you can set to auto-answer so you can voice or video chat. I don’t have first-hand knowledge.

My parents have an Alexa that plays music by voice command. I just got my mom an echo which is a small iPad type thing so I can call her or she can ask Alexa to call me and we can see each other. That way I can make sure she’s ok

Yes need to have wifi for ring and you can see it on your phone. Battery lasted for about two days. It is motion activated so only turns on when movement activates it.

I used a ring via battery - I just placed it in the living room. I could see the living room, his chair, tv, and the entrance to the bedroom. Not the bathroom but I could check on it through the app. There are now better ones like the ones you place in the light socket that has two way audio: Shop 360 Security Camera Bulb - Amazon.com Official Site