To install or not to install?
This question is at the forefront of discussions about nursing home management. At present, the question of whether or not security cameras should be placed in nursing homes and where they should be placed is extremely controversial and far from being resolved.
Merits of Installing Security Cameras in Nursing Homes
The most important argument in favor of security cameras is their deterrent value against abuse and poor care. These security cameras have been nicknamed “grandma’s cameras” and are said to be a positive step in reducing the potential for elder abuse. Experts believe that the grandmother’s cameras alone could restore public confidence in nursing homes because they give family members instant access to recently stored images. They can, therefore, closely monitor the well-being of their parents or grandparents.
Security cameras retail for at least $ 630 and can go as high as $ 1,590. On top of this, there is a $ 20 monthly fee to access the server and another $ 10 a month to upload images via a data-only line.
Disadvantages of installing security cameras in nursing homes
Not surprisingly, the strongest opposition to the use of granny cameras comes from within the industry itself. Nursing home operators and staff view video surveillance as an unnecessary invasion of privacy. They fear that security cameras will make it much more difficult to retain good staff and attract new ones. In addition, they believe that the use of security cameras will compromise the dignity of the patient, particularly when bathroom and toilet activities are filmed and then reviewed for safety. Another argument used is the additional expense. After all, a nursing home would need not just one, but multiple security cameras distributed in strategic locations throughout the nursing home.
The debate continues
However, while not insignificant, the equipment purchase costs and installation expenses are comparable to the cost of upgrading cleaning, food, or recreation services. This means that the purchase and installation of security cameras should be treated as a necessary overhead cost, like staff salaries, for example.
Additionally, experts believe that security cameras help nursing home operators minimize their legal liability should a nursing home employee or resident be found guilty of abusive behavior. By having digitally captured evidence on hand, nursing home owners can reduce unnecessary and unsubstantiated litigation.
Currently, a dozen state legislatures are actively considering passing granny-cam legislation. Current laws require that an operator must inform personnel in advance of the presence of cameras and their respective locations. Otherwise, video surveillance can be considered illegal. There is no law that expressly prohibits the use of security cameras. However, what prevents its widespread use are practical barriers in the form of prices and vehement opposition from the nursing home industry.
So, to install or not to install security cameras?
Nursing home operators vehemently answer “no,” while experts openly defend their mandatory use. If you are a nursing home owner, the added institutional cost is likely to make you cringe. If you are one of the many seeking a nursing home for a loved one, your answer to this question should dictate your choice of nursing home. However, don’t make it your only consideration. Check the facility’s history for deficiencies and formal regulatory inspection citations.
It will be very difficult for this controversy to be resolved quickly because it is an issue that hits too close to home. You simply cannot put a price on security or negotiate dignity.
