[night owl]

Do you think video cameras should be utilized in all residents rooms in all nursing homes as an added security for the residents?

I, myself do not have a problem with their use except that it would infringe on the residents right to privacy. What's your opinion?

[Cameron67]

I feel if abuse is suspected by al means a camera should be use, but the use of a camera any other times just seems like an invasion of privacy on that resident. Think about it this way, what if your family members put in a camera in your bedroom, and you found out later, wouldn't you feel invaded? I

[km rn]

We have used video cameras in a few select cases. The resident and the family gave us permission to video tape. We had one resident who kept having a dollar here and there disappear. We planted 5 one dollar bills in her coin purse which was always kept in her bedside table. I had the nurses (with the resident's permission) count the money twice a day. We recorded 24 hours per day. We did not review the tapes until the money disappeared. I then only had 12 hours of tape to review. Needless to say the person stealing the money waited till the room was empty then helped herself to $2.00. We called the police and initially the employee denied stealing until she was confronted with the video tape. It also helped validate a finding against the CNA on the Registry.

I certainly would not like to see them in every room - but in select cases they do help catch thieves, etc. I certainly did not suspect the persons we have ended up catching. We have used the cameras 4 times that I am aware of. All employees are informed upon hiring that we do have the ability and will use camera survellance in certain situations.

[cheerfuldoer]

If my mother ever had to go into a nursing home, I would want her room "bugged" and video tapes taken. If a family member can't be at their aging loved one's bedside 24/7, then a video is the next best thing. God help anyone who would abuse my mother if she ever became one of their patients.

[night owl]

Well that's what I'm thinking...The camera IS the next best thing to being there. If my child were being taken care of by a nanny at my home while I work, I'd sure as heck would have one of those cameras installed without hesitation. Same for my loved one, be it my husband, mother or father, sister or brother. It would be peace of mind on my part knowing that camera was rolling. If the CNA'S, nurses or whomever comes in contact with my loved one knows that a camera is being utilized, chances of any abuse, shoddy care, or total neglect would be impossible to get away with because the workers would have to be complete idiots to even think they could try it. Think of all of the abuse that could have been prevented. I cried when they showed that story on 20/20 or 60 minutes about abuse in nursing homes a few years back and they showed one nurse assistant beating that poor old man sitting up in a geri chair. How SICK was that?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Had that camera not been there, God knows how many more old folk would have been beaten by that evil man?

[cheerfuldoer]

I once worked in a child care center, and the center had video cameras pointed at staff in more ways than I can count. Even when a staff member took a child to the potty, the bathroom door had to be left completely open so the cameras could pick up on how the child was being helped, or touched, or not touched, etc., to prevent any incidences of child abuse in their center. Marvelous idea, I think, because some children aren't that mature when it comes to what "healthy touching" is by a staff member, and "unhealthy touching", so having them on camera is a much better means of being able to tell how a child was "managed" in the potty room.