Cameras in nursing home

[Loopyloo97]

My mum is in a nursing home & while I’d like to think that the residents are well cared for I do worry
My mum has dementia but she’s had bruises on her arms which are caused by her meds this was clarified by a Dr yesterday
However there are a couple of carers that she really dislikes , one in particular that I can’t take to either .. My mum often says that if she doesn’t cooperate in the morning she sometimes gets a slap I don’t know if it’s the dementia talking but my mum has visitors every day although we can’t be there 24/7 she does get agitated I’ve asked. The staff to leave her if she’s not in a good mood and not to insist on getting washed or changed this often goes on deaf ears
I’m thinking about placing a camera in my mums room some might say that I should have trust in the home but tbh I’d feel the sand about any nursing home my mums needs are too complex for her to go home
I know that a couple of other residents have cameras in their rooms
Elderly confused people are very vulnerable and sometimes we need to listen to them
I once walked into my mums room and a carer was pinning my mum down to the bed to change her I went ballistic hardly surprising that she was agitate

I work in a home for people with dementia and am a big advocate of hidden cameras.

Do it!!

Have you spoken to the care home manager about your concerns, if you are in the UK the c.q.c. have a website about installing cameras in carehomes. Do you know why some of the other residents have cameras. I hope she isn't being badly treated, that would be very upsetting.

Hi Jenbarber, a camera in my mums room would be piece of mind for us as a family however it is a big decision as it would film every movement in the room
May I ask why you are all for cameras?
We do worry about my mum the carers do a fantastic job but it’s long hours & under valued I can imagine there are times when certain residents are a bit demanding

Wormery we are in the UK I’ve read a few horror stories some carers have been caught treating elderly badly it doesn’t bear thinking about

I'm with JenBarber on cameras in room. I work in care but in their own home surroundings & the amount of times I have wished people had cameras. I would do it. I would also discreetly ask ask family of other residents as to why they have cameras in their rooms? peace of mind? suspicions?

I'm all for cameras to a) wheedle out any abuse, and b) prove violence and rudeness towards staff. Often the families don't believe their old dad would slap a nurse.

Protection both ways. There are no losers.

I do feel uncomfortable at the idea of filming intimate care. I know my Mum, for example, would have hated the idea of it. I realise it’s done with the idea of keeping them safe but where does that end? Cameras in public loos to keep people safe? Cameras in sheltered care homes where residents aren’t asked permission or reminded that they are there, because it’s for their safety.
I don’t believe it can be an automatic yes. It is something I would not want to have if I develop dementia, I’m still a person.

But it would protect staff too.

You'd be amazed how often we're assaulted.

I know how frequently that happens but in a place where intimate care happens I don’t think cameras should be installed without a lot of consultation and definitely not covert filming.

If there are real worries about the resident or the staff being abused then it is important to speak with the manager first, it might take time to organise a camera and that would just be a delay. Do you need to get permission from the resident, p.o.a. or the Court of Protection or the carehome to set a camera up. It would also protect the staff from false accusations, I would just worry about privacy a bit, presumably everyone who visits would be filmed, friends, Chaplain, staff, doctors, other residents and their families if they pop in to say hello.

If we replace a care home with a day nursery and put secret cameras in the toilets, how many people would be happy with their children being filmed going to the loo?

They would never allow cameras in nursery toilets, with a carehome I wouldn't want the toilet or bath areas being filmed either. I am sure that staff use their experience and judgement when someone refuses a wash or to be changed, I wouldn't expect my relatives to be left wet in urine or poo, that could lead to all sort of skin problems and bedsores.

Abuse to the elderly goes on both in people’s own homes & nursing homes
I know that my mum can get agitated and lash out when being washed who’s to say ?? As mentioned above it’s a safe guard for all & it would only be me that would be viewing it .

My parents both have dementia and we supported them at home with carers for the last few years. Dementia brings all kinds of unhappiness as you will know. I am not keen on cameras - my guess is you would capture lots of miserable moments you cant do anything about but they’ll really upset you.

I’d go for visiting at random times to try and figure out what’s happening