Nine employees of the Hollis Park nursing home were arrested after hidden cameras uncovered patient neglect. New York Attorney General, Eliot Spitzer, says one camera inside a resident’s room in the Queens, NY nursing home revealed weeks of neglect. See the developing story here.
The use of video cameras in nursing homes is a hot topic these days given families concern over whether their loved one is getting appropriate care and attention. Many families have turned to purchasing a small (sometimes hidden) camera to video just exactly what happens in mom’s room 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Many of the cameras are just video but some also have audio capabilities which record exactly what is being said in the resident’s room. If the nursing home and staff are aware of the camera, it may reduce the problems and keep the staff on their toes! If the nursing home and staff are unaware of the presence of the camera, such video may prove your worst fears!
The most serious concern with the use of a “Granny Cam” is invading the privacy of your mother’s roommate. The roommate has privacy rights which, without her consent, would be violated if she appeared in the view of the camera or within earshot of the voice recorder. Remember, this room is where all kinds of activities take place including dressing, grooming, and personal hygiene.
My suggestion is to consult with an attorney before placing a camera, hidden or otherwise. Also, either obtain the roommate’s consent or place the camera in a position such that the roommate is safely out of the view