Whether you can put a camera in a nursing home room depends on the state you reside in and the facility. Some nursing homes have verbiage in their admission forms that prohibit cameras or imposes strict regulations and requirements for their use.
However, concerns over elderly abuse in nursing homes have prompted 10 states to pass laws allowing private cameras into the nursing home. The states that permit family members to install cameras in their loved one’s nursing home room are as follows:
- Utah
- Texas
- Louisiana
- Illinois
- Maryland
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- Kansas
- Washington
- Vermont
You should note that the details of each law vary from state to state. While some require certain conditions to be met before implementation, others are vague and provide no specificity. If you are considering installing a camera in your loved one’s nursing home room, your best move would be to consult a lawyer to discuss your concerns. They will walk you through the state laws regulating this issue and the legal and practical ramifications.
When to Install a Camera in a Nursing Home Room
If you suspect abuse or have legitimate concerns about their wellbeing, you may be right to worry about their safety. However, before you decide, take a quick look at the advantages and disadvantages of putting a camera in a nursing home room.
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Pros
The advantages of installing a camera in your loved one’s room include the following:
- Cameras can catch abusers in the act and provide proof to implicate them should a criminal or civil lawsuit be filed against them.
- It can provide reassurance that your loved one is well-taken care of in the nursing home.
- Since cameras can be set up to catch the full view of a room, it can provide another layer of security for your loved one and give you peace of mind about their safety, as well.
Cons
Some nursing homes prohibit the installation of cameras in the residents’ rooms due to privacy and safety concerns. Here are the disadvantages of putting a camera in your loved one’s nursing home room:
- Invasion of privacy: The resident is likely to lose their sense of privacy due to being monitored all through the day and night. Depending on how the camera is set up, they can be exposed when bathing, dressing up, using the restroom, or a bedpan.
- Stirrings of anxiousness: If your loved one opposes the idea of having a camera monitoring their activities at all times, they may feel caged and anxious if you go ahead and do so anyway. This can create an uncomfortable environment for them and result in them feeling helpless.
- The roommate: Since most nursing home residents share a room with at least one other person, installing a camera in the bedroom would be an invasion of the roommate’s privacy. Your camera could also record them dressing up, using the bathroom, or even pick up on their private conversations.
- The staff: The presence of cameras can make the staff feel scrutinized and uncomfortable when taking care of your loved one. This can lead to resentment. It can also create false perceptions, which may result in false accusations. For example, if the camera films a staff member moving your loved one’s personal item, it may appear that they stole it when they only moved it out of frame.
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Making the Right Decision with the Help of Ben Crump Law, PLLC
If you cannot decide, we recommend that you contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC for legal advice. If you suspect abuse and would like to figure out the best way to move forward, our lawyers can provide effective solutions that can help protect your loved one from further harm.
All nursing home residents have a right under the Nursing Home Reform Act to be free from abuse, neglect, and live in a safe environment. If you have reason to believe your loved one was injured because of nursing home neglect or abuse, you might be entitled to compensation for expenses related to their injury, such as:
- Hospital bills
- Treatment and surgery costs
- Transportation costs
- Relocation costs
- Lost property or money
- Pain and suffering
Call us today at 800-959-1444 and share your concerns in our free consultation.
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