We're using the "Nest" security camera... any advice on what we are seeing?

Well, the decent thing would be for the caregiver to at least interact with your dad. Whether conversation, games looking at family pictures. Take him outside.I'm guessing she gets his meals for him. If he can walk be sure he goes and eats in the kitchen, dinning room. Surely, she must be bored doing nothing.

Many people have already commented, so there is not much more I can add in that regard. I do have a question about the cameras however. I am thinking about getting some to keep an eye on my father. I understand they will send an alert to your phone if they detect motion or sound - and that you can talk to whoever is there. How do you like them so far?

We have a part-time caregiver, 4 hours six days a week. She prepares/cleans up breakfast, helps my dad shower, walks with him for "their walk." Makes lunch. And she does light housekeeping. Laundry, sweeping the floor, vacuums, Dusts. Just not heavy duty. But she is busy but not rushed. Major thing is to not expect them to keep moving all the time. Also, my dad talks to her more than to my mom and I. And she loves to organize. So my drawers stay tidy...

I think you could expect more from the care giver. Talk to her agency...

https://www.amazon.com/Nest-Security-Camera-Matters-Anywhere

I am a caregiver. It sounds like you have a lazy or tired cg. It is not normal for a good cg to just sit, let alone lie, around. A good cg will find something to do to help the client or the client's family. I clean the kitchen, fix meals, clean the bathroom, and the client's bedroom, wash and dry their clothes and put them up. A good cg can find things to do. Yes, I sit with my client and watch TV for 30 minutes then engage her in a conversation about what we just saw or engage her during commercials. I wheel her that the bathroom and bathe her and fix her hair and makeup. I wheel her outside through the flower garden. I put her in the car and go for a ride or to the grocery store or Wal Mart. There are so many things to do! Unless you have given strict instructions not to leave his side, the cg should be doing something...singing, reading to him, so many other things than watching TV.

I don't mind if the caregiver watches TV with my father as long as it isn't all day and it's his programs. I have a lot more faith in the caregiver with initiative because she looks for ways to engage him, not just fill the time.

i can relate, and i have reached out to the agency managers but still no change. my mom has a night shift home attendant from 8pm, to 8am. they dont do anything but walk her to her bed, they dont check nor change her diaper. they go to the opposite of the apt and lay down. they even change into pajamas, walk around bare foot and lay on my sofa with dirty feet. they leave their job for the morning crew, they dont give my mom her night snack before walking her to bed, nor her water. i have to end up breaking night to care for her myself. they seem to take the job just to make up those 12 hrs for their pay when their other permanent patients are hospitalized. in other words, they come for themselves, and not for my mom. they care less about the patient. my advise is to never chose 5 star home care agency for the night shift. my mothers diapers falls off in pieces when the day shift comes in if i happen to fall asleep for staying up so many nights. i have found dump in my tub because my mom has gotten up quietly and used the tub as a toilet, meanwhile they are sleeping in the front of they apt where they cant hear her if she gets up and falls. im getting a new agency for the night shift, because my complaints fall on deaf ears to the agency coordinators and managers. i have taken several pictures of their negligence at night.

I don't expect much out of my caregiver other than making sure he has lunch and meds and doesn't get into trouble. She will vacuum, fold laundry, do dishes, etc. and does not expect extra pay but I am fine with her sitting and keeping him company. I need the couple hours away and there isn't a lot to be done otherwise but he isn't safe left alone.

Swicklund 75:

I have include below information regarding the legality of Nanny cams.

In addition, if used for a reasonable purpose such a suspected theft. The video will typically be admissable in court. Particularly if it catches the caregiver in a criminal act such as theft or abuse or neglect of the elderly person.

I have included the information below and a link:

https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/babysitternanny-camera-legality.html

[ Question: Can I Legally Install a Nanny Cam in My Home?

Answer: It is currently legal in every state to make a video-only recording of anything happening at your home, at any time, without informing anyone. The fact that the camera is hidden has no effect on this concept. If your camera is video only (no sound is recorded), then you can do whatever you like with it, in your own home (but be careful about accidentally recording things beyond that, like the street in front of your yard).

Audio recordings are a different story. While some states have no special laws regarding these either, it is illegal to record someone's voice without their permission in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington State. The merchant selling the camera will likely be familiar with your state's laws concerning this, so be sure to ask before you buy anything or consult with an employment lawyer first. ]

More.....

[ Question: I've Been Videotaped Without My Knowledge - Can the Tape Be Used in Court?

Answer: The courts are split over this issue, but most states are leaning toward allowing it to be entered as evidence. 

While many states have laws regulating the taping of someone in an area where they have an expectation of privacy, most agree that you cannot have such an expectation in a home that isn't yours. 

Obviously, there are some exceptions to this rule (your employer cannot put cameras in a bathroom that he expects others to use), but in general, he can film anything in his home, including you, and can later use it in court.  

However, if you live in one of the previously mentioned 13 states, and the video has sound, then it will likely violate wiretapping laws, and will not be admissible. But the sound on a video can easily be muted, so unless the incriminating portion of the video is speech itself, the video portion may be allowed into evidence (although the courts have yet to rule specifically on this issue). ]

Having an outline of job expectations is what you would go by, such as laundry, light cleaning, sweeping, tidying up sitting room, making her bed, making lunch, asssiitng with bath, clothing, and medication, outside of that, sitting with an elder parent, is that, sitting..depends what you hired person to do with your senior parent..
in NC video is fine, but if you witness criminal act, audio can cause entire recordings to be thrown out, one person being recorded must know their is audio recording, a third party may not “eavesdrop”.

I have hired caregivers for my MIL and a friend with Parkinson's. There are basic resources for caregivers and I have used them all. Each has significant pros and there are some negatives but nothing is perfect: 1) a registry (expensive and a range of experience to choose from novice to expert but I have found is the source for "I need help now!" and had to take the novice for a while until the expert was available); 2) a franchise (you are interviewed by the service and they may not want to place one of their employees in your circumstance); and 3) an independent caregiver (my fave and keep in mind, you get what you put the effort into finding). There are so many responses here to your question that I have not read all but have cherry-picked a few that are worth reading and re-reading and they are from: Roseykat, Merrij, Maryquesq1, Jasmina, LeeMac, Rosie76, Anniepeepie, Lostboy, con3ill, scadvice, Heather10. We have an excellent caregiver for my MIL, hired as an independent contractor and from ads she had on Craigslist and Care.com and she had CNA certification. She has been with us for 2 years. Something she does that is very helpful is to write a care report at the end of each day that contains a daily record of what took place such as the time MIL woke up, her meal consumption, activities, exercise, observed demeanor, rest period tracking, and so forth. We also created a meds tracking sheet to be filled out during her shift. We make a computer/laptop available to her and this effort takes her about 30 minutes done at the end of each day and it is a record to refer to for care issues, or to reference with MIL's medical provider, or to share with siblings. We trust our caregiver and give her access to the wifi to use her tablet. We stipulate earbuds in one ear only and use is when MIL is sleeping or reading and there is not a household or meal task to be performed. She is not permitted to engage in personal phone conversations while on duty but is allowed if it is her break. As for the camera, once you've established a competent caregiver is hired by you, ditch the camera, it can only cost you a good caregiver. Oh two rules we have are: 1) do not engage the caregiver in family business or as a pseudo therapist to hear your troubles and; 2) never photograph or video our household, MIL or any other family member or post anything to social media about our family.

I have the caregiver's sign a release that informs them of video and AUDIO.

If they balk at this I move on to someone who is willing to sign the release.

The recording will also protect the caregiver from false charges.

When I was caring for my grandfather, I found many competent caregivers who had no objection to signing the release.

If a caregiver balks, IMO, you have to wonder why? If they are doing their jobs, they will not care.

I also, require all maids and contract workers of any type.....plumbers, floor refinishers, handymen etc., sign these releases.

There are many competent workers who see the recording as a way to protect themselves from false charges.

Before requesting the releases, I had several incidents of theft that were not provable.

Since requiring the releases, I have had none.

Have you given the caregiver a list of tasks to do during the day?
Make the bed, do the laundry, vacuum the carpet.
Does she try to engage him in conversation?
Does she talk to him about his interests?
Card games?
coloring?
Music?
Is it her job to bathe or shower him?
does she check briefs or pull ups if this person is incontinent?
If Dad is in a wheelchair or uses a walker and does not get up much does the caregiver help him change positions at least every 2 hours? A change of positions can be as simple as moving the back of a recliner to another position, moving him forward a bit just to smooth out the back of a shirt. Or it can be getting him up to walk to the bathroom.
If you have given this person no direction as to what you expect then what she is doing is what she thinks you expect.