Cameras are becoming more common in nursing homes and assisted living communities.
Video monitoring is used to promote security.
When Gretchen and I lived in West Germany in the 1980s and travelled to East Berlin, we remember being "creeped out" by the ever present security cameras everywhere.
And, I mean everywhere.
How Orwellian.
Well, George Orwell has even come to Overland Park.
While the use of security cameras was formerly limited primarily to businesses, people are increasingly installing them to deter criminals from breaking in or even stealing packages from porches.
Think suburban "porch pirates" captured on your Nextdoor app.
Although porch piracy is less common in assisted living communities or nursing homes, families of residents have begun installing hidden cameras in rooms.
While some people appreciate these additions to promote safety and transparency, others argue that the ethics around consent, privacy, and the dignity of staff and residents may be compromised.
Surveillance cameras are controversial in assisted living facilities.
Some families take action to install cameras after noticing unexplained injuries, emotional withdrawal, or other possible signs of neglect in their loved ones.
The legality of camera monitoring varies by state.
Some states explicitly allow for “granny cam” use in private rooms.
Facilities themselves have diverse policies on monitoring devices.
Some nursing homes or assisted living communities support cameras for the transparency they provide.
Others restrict or ban cameras due to privacy rules and to protect residents in shared rooms.
Legislation continues to evolve as policymakers seek to balance respect and safety.
Love and fear are common motivators for families monitoring the private space of loved ones in senior care.
Cameras can provide peace of mind by allowing families to intervene quickly if issues arise.
They provide accountability to facility caregivers while promoting best practices and deterring mistreatment.
Video monitoring can provide evidence should the families need to take legal action against a facility for senior abuse or neglect.
Although monitoring technology can be helpful, it can also undermine caregiver trust and raise concerns about consent.
States and residential facilities do not have uniform privacy laws.
Video monitoring without staff or resident consent may violate personal rights and confidentiality rules.
Families must consider whether constant monitoring respects the personal dignity of residents.
Before installing cameras in a senior care facility, families may benefit from seeking professional guidance from an elder law attorney.
These attorneys can interpret state laws, develop care plans, and draft consent agreements to promote the privacy and safety of the residents and staff.
Although technology can be a valuable safety tool, legal planning provides straightforward expectations and safeguards.
Estate planning documents, such as powers of attorney, can prevent fraud and promote appropriate healthcare.
Care agreements and other documents can promote oversight while simultaneously avoiding conflict with care providers.
Working with an experienced estate planning attorney or elder law attorney can help families proactively support the financial and healthcare needs of aging loved ones.
The use of video monitoring can deter elder abuse and neglect in assisted living facilities or nursing homes.
Cameras also pose significant concerns around privacy rights for residents and staff.
Families should understand both state laws and facility policies before installing monitoring technology.
Working with an experienced elder law attorney ensures families can support the security of their loved ones without compromising their dignity.
For expert advice on selecting a senior care facility, I recommend contacting my friend, Steve Kuker of Senior Care Consulting.
He is a national expert on these very issues, and I have known him since high school.
Please do not hold that against him.
This post is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice on any specific issue or problem. Nothing herein creates an attorney-client relationship between Harvest Law KC and the reader.
Reference: The New York Times (April 7, 2025) “Why Cameras Are Popping Up in Assisted Living Facilities”
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