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Elderly parents
Original poster

Cameras in elderly relative's home

16 replies

Ilovemyshed · 03/12/2024 22:08

Canvassing opinions here ... some family members have installed cameras in elderly relative's home - living areas and his bedroom. Its a safety measure to keep an eye on carers and in case of falls.

Apparently he has agreed to it.

I'm not sure at all, interested in thoughts.

OP posts:
Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 03/12/2024 22:09

Camera in living area a good idea. Bedroom and bathroom no!

DoreenonTill8 · 03/12/2024 22:17

Are the carers aware?

Original poster
Ilovemyshed · 03/12/2024 22:20

Yes, the cameras are obvious.

OP posts:
Whiteblanket · 03/12/2024 22:21

If you do this then please make sure everyone is aware.

When a person has questionable capacity then it can become a deprivation of liberty/ safeguarding issue.

WanderfulTonight · 03/12/2024 22:21

I think it's a good idea to safeguard them.

Original poster
Ilovemyshed · 04/12/2024 06:14

I personally really feel uncomfortable about the lack of privacy and feel it is too intrusive.

OP posts:
Musicaltheatremum · 04/12/2024 15:42

I have just put cameras into my dad's house. He lives alone, has developed epilepsy and goes for days without seeing anyone.
Honestly I look at the cameras about 3 times a day. It's not intrusive at all (he agrees) I also check he's sitting by the phone if I go to call him so he's not rushing.

My husband has had them for his parents for years.
He was checking once and couldn't see his mum in the house. So he checked the ring doorbell and just saw her lying on the ground outside the house. His dad hadn't missed her...they often went into different rooms and he had sight and hearing impairment. My husband was able to call his dad and get him to help her in. She would have been put for hours otherwise and it was November

She also lost her handbag and we were able to track what she had done with it through the cameras.

Agree not in bathroom or bedroom but really useful elsewhere. And you don't spend hours looking at them

With carers really useful to have monitoring. The care company my husband uses is great but there can be issues.

We are an hour away from my FIL and 2.5 hours from dad.

Musicaltheatremum · 04/12/2024 15:45

Ilovemyshed · 04/12/2024 06:14

I personally really feel uncomfortable about the lack of privacy and feel it is too intrusive.

The bedroom ones are not acceptable at all.

SirChenjins · 04/12/2024 15:49

Cameras are a very good idea for elderly people living alone and who have carers. If you're concerned about the bedroom one then I would suggest putting it outside the door - a lot of falls occur in the bedroom so it makes sense to be able to monitor movement in and out of that room.

Have they got an Apple watch or Alexa they can use to call for help too?

Original poster
Ilovemyshed · 04/12/2024 17:33

They have a care button on wrist and carers several times per day !

OP posts:
Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 04/12/2024 18:37

I have cameras on my very elderly mother who has capacity to consent. We put them in kitchen /living room after a hospital stay. She also has a careline line but didn’t press it the first time she fell as she was too poorly. It was really good when she fell a second and third time as I was able to see her in the kitchen / hallway on the camera and could see that she was okay but unable to get up. I was then able to call the Ambulance service with the lifting cushion to help her up. The fourth time when she was poorly again, my sister called to say that she hasn’t come out of her bedroom and could I go over. The cat was yowling at the camera so we definitely knew something was wrong. This was a lifesaving situation. So that is three times the camera helped, twice avoiding a hospital admission and once getting timely care. She is doing well and tells everyone how great the cameras are. I don’t even think about them when I am over there.

Original poster
Ilovemyshed · 04/12/2024 19:42

Mmm, problem is I don't think he has the capacity to have consented in a way he understands or remembers for long enough.

OP posts:
ohtowinthelottery · 04/12/2024 19:58

I don't think there should be one in the bedroom. A friend has cameras for a parent, but they are in the living room and kitchen, as well as a doorbell camera.

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 04/12/2024 20:58

If he doesn’t have capacity then a best interests decision could be made. I’m not sure that a camera in the bedroom would be appropriate. I’m surprised the care agency carry on with that, where is the privacy and dignity?

Brombat · 05/12/2024 16:47

Yep, we have one in the living room for DM. Very happy with it, couldn't have managed without it, following major illness. It's helped when there's been a problem. She likes it.

I hated the idea but the lived experience is brilliant. Dementia nurse has just suggested getting cameras at Mils too, so we were showing Fil how it works.

As above, check in for a few seconds several times a day, very non-intrusive.

UltraHorse · 05/12/2024 16:55

Definitely think this is a great idea .I think they should be in care homes as well Care homes get so much criticism They could show what's really happening and maybe motivate staff to be extra kind

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