What States Allow Cameras in Nursing Homes?

First off, nursing home managers and authorities must stay sharp about what’s going on on the premises 24/7. On the other hand, security cameras are the finest fit to your security setup that helps you keep an eye on the location without blinking.

So, wanting to install security cameras in your nursing home can be tempting. But the question is, does the law allow it to install cameras inside a patient room? If yes, what states allow cameras in nursing homes for surveillance?

Turns out, several US states allow cameras in nursing home rooms to look over the patient. States that allow using surveillance cameras in nursing homes are Kansas, Texas, Washington, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Minnesota, Louisiana, Illinois, and a few more. 

Let’s discuss nursing homes, health care, and privacy in them in detail.

Key Takeaways:

• The cost and expenses of maintaining the cameras are fully on the resident who needs the camera.
• Other occupants of the room must consent to the installation of any surveillance cameras in the room.
• There must be a sign that warns visitors and staff entering the room of the presence of cameras.
• The resident must be informed about the cameras. However, some states permit the use of secret cameras in a nursing home for a maximum of 14 days.

Is It Legal To Put A Camera In A Nursing Home Room?

Whether your installing cameras in a nursing home is legal depends on which state you’re located. Furthermore, the nursing home itself has to consent to your wish to install cameras in their rooms. More importantly, the resident to be taken care of and their fellow room occupants (if any) have to agree.

You may be staying in a state where the installation of surveillance cameras in nursing home rooms is considered illegal. In that case, the only option you have left is to inform the management of the nursing home about your intention of installing a surveillance camera in any of their rooms.

If you install cameras without permission from the nursing home, then the facility has the right to file a court case against you. This holds irrespective of whether the installation of cameras in nursing homes is legal in that state or not

Pros And Cons Of Nursing Home Cameras

With many nursing homes around currently, it is crucial to know what’s happening to your loved ones. There have been cases where elderly persons in nursing homes are being abused by their caregivers.

Since you can’t always be present there all the time, there has to be a more comfortable alternative. Installing surveillance cameras in your loved one’s room can help you keep an eye on them.

However, there is some downside to this that you may not have considered before now. Below are some impressive benefits of installing a camera in nursing home rooms. Alongside, we’ll also take the time to visit some cons too.

Pros Of Nursing Home Cameras

Here are the advantages you can get from using security surveillance cameras (sometimes secret ones) in a nursing home:

Peace of Mind

Some individuals have grown too attached to their parents to a point where the talks of leaving them sound outrageous. It even gets more unthinkable to consider that their mother or father will be left at the mercy of a total stranger.

This is mostly so where the elderly person requires special treatment. Installing cameras that allow you to see these loved ones at any time of the day comes in as a great source of relief.

An Increased Feeling of Safety

There have been cases where people drag nursing homes to court with claims of their parents being abused or maltreated by caregivers. This might be true in some cases and might just be empty claims in some others.

The presence of a camera helps you to be sure of what’s going on with your elderly. Furthermore, the presence of cameras can go a long way in making harsh or abusive caregivers more careful. That way, you can be sure your mom or dad is in safe hands.

Protection on The Part of The Caregiver

An accident is inevitable and can occur at any time. Accidents are very common with aged individuals, who are vulnerable to falling due to weak limbs. Caregivers stand a high risk, especially if the person to be taken care of has dementia-related disorders.

In such cases, the affected individual may not be able to give a reliable account of what happened. More so, in a situation where there wasn’t a roommate or any other eyewitnesses, the caregiver remains the primary suspect and can go in for a crime they didn’t commit.

Having surveillance cameras around will help to vindicate innocent suspects, as there’ll be surveillance videos of what actually occurred.

Cons Of Nursing Home Cameras

Using cameras in nursing homes doesn’t come clean though. Here are a few disadvantages you might have to deal with while installing:

Might Breach the Privacy of Others

Many nursing homes in the states have facilities that accommodate more than one person in a room. If your elderly mom or dad shares a room with some other person (or persons), installing a camera in their room can be an intrusion on the other residents’ privacy.

Even when you can be careful enough to mount the camera to exclude capturing the other person’s videos, you can’t be so sure of not recording the person’s voice. To be on the safe side, all the residents in the room should consent to the idea of installing a camera in their room.

Might Hinder Mindful Interaction

Effective caregivers go out of their comfort to interact and get to know more about their clients. Such interactions go a long way in reducing the awkwardness that comes with opening up to a totally unknown person.

During such conversations, gestures such as smiling, joking, shaking hands, and giving hugs can help to ease the tension between them.

These gestures help to dissipate tension, discomfort, and embarrassment and make your elderly relative feel more relaxed around them. Cameras can be instrumental in inhibiting the cordiality between your loved ones and their caregivers.

This is because some of the gestures we listed above might feel awkward under constant supervision with cameras.

Many caregivers will consider the fact that some of their interactions may be easily misunderstood or misinterpreted. Onlookers can even criticize some of these gestures as a lack of ethics and professionalism.

Therefore, caregivers are more likely to act according to the rules and may not offer additional assistance where necessary. Your loved one can be at risk here.

Excessive Reliance on The Cameras

Cameras will only help to reduce the chances of abuse, and not entirely eliminate it. You cannot install cameras in a nursing home’s bathroom and can’t tell what’s going to happen there. So, it’s more recommended that you make efforts to foster a healthy relationship between your loved one and their caregiver.

Furthermore, people tend to entirely rely on surveillance videos for assurance that their aged relative is doing fine. You must be actively involved in the caregiving process of your loved one. Family involvement goes a long way in boosting their life quality. Make it a habit to pay them regular visits.

What States Allow Cameras In Nursing Homes?

Some states don’t allow cameras in nursing homes due to some reasons. However, other states allow it, but under certain conditions. Some of the conditions that must be satisfied are the consent of the room’s occupants and that of the facility management.

States that have legalized the use of cameras in nursing homes are listed below:

1. Illinois

The law, signed by Governor Bruce Rainer officially came into force on January 1, 2016. Furthermore, the law came with 4 provisions as stated below:

1. The camera must be mounted at a location where everyone entering the room can see it.
2. There must be signs outside the room to notify members of staff and other visitors that there’s an ongoing video record.
3. Other residents occupying the same room as your loved one must consent to the installation of the video camera by signing a document from the Illinois Department of Health.
4. The resident must undertake the cost of maintenance, installation, and other expenses that comes with running the cameras.

2. Kansas

Kansas also allows cameras in nursing homes. Moreover, some provisions that control the installation of any such recording devices, and are listed below.

1. The resident or his/her guardian must notify the nursing home of their intention using a Monitoring Notification Form.
2. Other residents of the room (if any) must consent to the installation of the camera.
3. The resident’s guardian must also exempt the nursing home from any civil liability that comes with violating the resident’s civil rights caused by the use of the cameras.

3. Louisiana

Louisiana has also legalized the installation of cameras in nursing homes with the following guidelines:

1. You must notify the facility of your intentions of installing a camera in the room where your loved one is staying.
2. If there are other persons occupying the room, they must also agree to the camera installation.
3. The camera must only capture video of the resident for whom the camera is being installed.

4. Minnesota

Minnesota is one of the states that allow cameras in nursing homes. The law came into effect on 1^st January 2020 and some notable provisions are as follows.

1. Other residents of the room to hold the camera must give consent to the camera’s installation on a consent form. The resident’s relative can also give consent on behalf of their loved one if they lack certain mental abilities.
2. If the other residents of the room refuse to give consent for the installation of any camera, the nursing home has to make reasonable accommodations for the resident who needs the camera.
3. Residents must notify the facility of their intentions of installing cameras if the cameras will stay beyond 14 days.

5. New Mexico

The use of granny cameras in nursing homes in New Mexico became legalized in 2004. Below are some things that must be considered before using such cameras.

1. The “Granny cam” bill allows people to place recorders cameras in the rooms of their loved ones staying at nursing homes.
2. Furthermore, there have to be certain factors that control the preservation and security of the videos.
3. Also, video clips from such footage have to be scrutinized to confirm validity.

6. Oklahoma

Oklahoma also allows residents to mount surveillance cameras in the rooms of their loved ones who stay at nursing homes. The bill ensures that:

1. No nursing home can evict old residents or deny new residents, admission on the grounds of using surveillance cameras.
2. The law also allows the use of video recordings from such cameras as evidence in court.
3. There must be a sign that informs persons entering the room of the presence of surveillance cameras in the room.

7. Texas

Texas has also legalized the usage of Surveillance cameras in nursing homes to ensure their aged relatives receive adequate care. Moreover, you need to consider the following before mounting such cameras:

1. Except a resident has been judicially restricted from such, residents in nursing homes can use surveillance.
2. Before such cameras can be installed, other occupants of the room must indicate written consent to the installation.
3. The resident or their guardian must undertake the costs and expenses that come with the camera’s installation.
4. There must be a note that informs visitors and staff that they’re actively monitored.

8. Washington

The Washington House Bill 2173 necessitates that long-term healthcare providing facilities allow residents to install surveillance cameras to install cameras in their rooms. They also have to inform new residents of their rights to make electronic recordings. Below are the required conditions.

1. The cost of installation, maintenance, and repairs of any such recording device must be covered by the resident.
2. You must present a written notice to the facility management of your intention of installing cameras.
3. If your loved ones share the room with other residents, the other residents have to indicate their consent to the installation of the cameras. Also, you have to stick to the other roommates’ stipulations concerning their privacy.

Legal Issues With Installing Cameras In Nursing Homes

Some states prohibit the use of spy camera for nursing home while others keep it in legal terms for a certain period. However, about 8 states have passed bills that legalize the use of these cameras.

The main reason behind this is to curb incidents of neglect or abuse of residents by caregivers in these facilities.

Despite being legalized, some legal stipulations govern the installation and operation of such cameras. Below are some notable legal issues worth considering.

• Before the installation of surveillance cameras in nursing homes, the resident or their guardian must inform the management of the facility.
• If the room housing the resident who wants the cameras has other occupants, the other occupant(s) must give written consent to the installation of such cameras.
• Guardians of a resident must obtain permission from their loved one residing in the nursing home before the installation of cameras in their room.
• The facility must provide a safe position for the camera. Furthermore, the cameras must be installed where it is visible to anyone entering the room.
• There should always be a sign at the room’s entrance that informs visitors that they may be under live surveillance.
• The resident or their family must cover all expenses for the installation and maintenance of the cameras.
• In some states, residents are allowed to use hidden cameras for a maximum period of 14 days. If the camera stay beyond 1 day, the resident must inform the nursing home management.
• Videos obtained from such recordings can be used as evidence in court.

Conclusion

In the US, some states allow cameras in nursing homes but not all states, though. And now that you know what states allow cameras in nursing homes, you can measure the legality of your attempt to install security cameras in yours.

Some states are New Mexico, Oklahoma, Minnesota, and Washington, which are normalized this. But, you must inform your loved ones that you’re installing a camera in their room. Also, the cost of the installation of the camera must be paid by the concerned resident or their guardian.

More important, other occupants of the room must agree to the use of cameras in the room. Also, they are free to make stipulations concerning when and where the camera can be used. Moreover, the family members of the resident must inform the management of the facility before installing the camera.