As the number of senior citizens in the U.S. continues to grow, it’s going to become more and more important to take effective steps to reduce the risk of elder abuse that our loved ones face. One proposed solution is to install webcams in the rooms of those residing in nursing homes that give family members access to observing what’s going on with their loved one while they are not there.
After being challenged, it was determined in Minnesota that webcams were allowed to be kept in nursing homes. This came after workers in a nursing home located there had repeatedly disabled or blocked a camera that had been set up in someone’s room. The family was worried about what was happening during those times and appealed to a higher authority for permission to keep the camera in there. Ultimately, this decision was backed up by a number of other authorities, too. It was determined that the invasion of privacy that webcams created was not enough to offset the guarantee of safety that they provided the person residing within the nursing home with.
Still, it is worthwhile to look at the ethics of using webcams. It might even be something that you’ve spent some time thinking about before in the past. There is a balance between keeping someone safe and watching their every move.
The decision to use a webcam to ensure that your parent is being cared for in a safe and professional manner will not be an easy one, but no one else can make that decision. If you feel that this is something that is in the best interests of those that you love, then it’s an available option. Your loved one’s nursing home might have paperwork that needs to be filled out regarding the webcam’s usage, but it’s a right that’s open for you if you want.
There are about 1.3 million people living in nursing homes today. About half of them have dementia. A webcam can help you to get a better idea of what’s happening if your mom or dad does not have the ability to recount for themselves how they are being treated.
If you can, talk to your mom or dad about concerns you might have and let them know that you have options in front of you to keep them safer. They might have strong feelings one way or another about the use of a webcam, so it’s important that you discuss this with them if you can.
Elder abuse is an awful occurrence, but unfortunately, it is something that can happen. We pride ourselves here at Paradise In-Home Care in the efforts that we take to prevent it from happening. We conduct background searches on all potential caregivers and then we fully equip them with training and experience before they are sent out into the field. We encourage you to take steps on your end to help prevent abuse, too. Sometimes, just a little bit of education is all that’s needed to prevent neglect from happening.
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