Decided to get security cameras as I was wondering how my husband was cared for, what time the caregiver comes, besides on checking on him if I hear a noise. Anyone using cameras? Did you tell caregivers you have them? Any legal issues?
I used to clean houses and I would have been incensed if someone had been watching me without my knowledge, I mean sometimes there are things you would do in private that you would never do in public (I'm talking things like wardrobe adjustments, not anything criminal). It seems to me the camera is even more effective if everyone knows it is there because people will be aware they are under scrutiny.
The law varies from state to state so while people here will encourage you to use cameras and tell you it’s fine in your own home, you need to research Illinois state law on this because it may in fact be illegal to record the caregiver without telling her.
I would make it part of the caregivers contract, that they will be recorded. If it is a problem then you probably don't want this person in your home.
We have cameras and a sign out front that says, "Smile, you're on camera!" Everyone is now notified and has the choice to enter or not. No other notifications are required.
We are recorded everywhere we go in this day and age.
Regardless of the law. I would tell them. That's being polite.
In general, laws on recording video are much more lax than recording audio. That's why even in the currently famous massage parlor case, the police only recorded video and not audio. That's also why security cameras in stores only record video and not audio.
Illinois is a two party consent state. That means that all the parties to the conversation must consent for the recording to not violate the law.
You cannot record her going to the bathroom or undressing. If she needs to use the same bathroom as your husband, you cannot have a recording device in there.
That's for audio, not for video. As I said, video without audio laws are more lax. That's why commercial security systems don't record audio. That's why police surveillance doesn't record audio. They both just record video.
We use cameras to provide caregiving so when we start needing to hire people to come in they will already be there and Mom will be used to having them. We have one that triggers every time someone drives into the parking area too, same as a video doorbell. But I don't see any reason to hide the fact they are there. Anyone I hire to come in I will have vetted (or a service will have) and we will trust enough that the we hopefully wont feel the need to secretly check up on them and I'm with whoever it was that said letting them know the cameras are there are a way to keep them on there toes just in case. If the caregiver objects they aren't the right fit for us.
We have two cameras so I was interested to see what the law says about it. Check this out: https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/babysitternanny-camera-legality.html They can see our cameras easily so I doubt if I would need to tell them.
My husband is on hospice, is total care & needs everything done for him. I have a caregiver while I work & sometimes when I am home to get things done. The camera is in the dining RM facing the front door & kitchen the other in family rm where it is focused on my husband. I am not recording at this point. It is motion sensored so could be for security if a front door break in. I'd only watch at work for short periods. I live in IL.
Hi Cathy I have cameras at my aunts house. They are clearly visible. She has short term memory prob so forgets who comes by to visit etc. She has a Medialert pendant. She sets it off by mistake sometimes. The agency will call me. I will look on the camera and see that she is fine. I can see when her therapist come and go and that she is letting her dog outside. I can see when her aide comes and goes. When her nurse is there etc. I see her having her meals. Locking her door and closing her garage at night. Going about her business in general. I can certainly understand that you would feel better having the cameras for your husband. I always tell the aides during the interview. They aren’t hidden and I don’t do audio.
We have cameras and a sign out front that says, "Smile, you're on camera!" Everyone is now notified and has the choice to enter or not. No other notifications are required.
We are recorded everywhere we go in this day and age.
In general, laws on recording video are much more lax than recording audio. That's why even in the currently famous massage parlor case, the police only recorded video and not audio. That's also why security cameras in stores only record video and not audio.
You cannot record her going to the bathroom or undressing. If she needs to use the same bathroom as your husband, you cannot have a recording device in there.
Check this out: https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/babysitternanny-camera-legality.html
They can see our cameras easily so I doubt if I would need to tell them.
I have cameras at my aunts house. They are clearly visible. She has short term memory prob so forgets who comes by to visit etc.
She has a Medialert pendant. She sets it off by mistake sometimes. The agency will call me. I will look on the camera and see that she is fine. I can see when her therapist come and go and that she is letting her dog outside. I can see when her aide comes and goes. When her nurse is there etc.
I see her having her meals. Locking her door and closing her garage at night. Going about her business in general.
I can certainly understand that you would feel better having the cameras for your husband.
I always tell the aides during the interview. They aren’t hidden and I don’t do audio.
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