Nursing home patients are vulnerable to abuse and neglect. They can’t defend themselves against attacks. If they speak up, they run the risk of suffering even more mistreatment, abuse or neglect in retaliation. Therefore, many nursing home patients spend a long time suffering before the abuse and neglect gets dealt with. Sometimes, they have suffered serious injuries — and potentially fatal health conditions — before their stories get heard.
One way to combat nursing home abuse and neglect is through the use of video surveillance cameras installed in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Here are a few reasons why every nursing home should install a video surveillance system:
They’re fast and easy to put into place: Surveillance systems are easy to set up using strips of adhesive. Wi-fi-connected cameras can be installed throughout a nursing home in strategic locations quickly and inexpensively.
They offer protection for employees and residents: Since the eyes of a surveillance camera are always watching, employees are less likely to engage in abusive behavior. If they do, a resident’s story or complaint can be corroborated immediately with video evidence. Video footage can also help employees who might suffer mistreatment by a nursing home resident or visitor.
Easy monitoring access: Since the cameras in a nursing home surveillance system can broadcast anywhere via the internet, care facilities can monitor multiple locations from one central monitoring hub.
When you’re shopping for a nursing facility that can care for your loved one, make sure to consider whether the nursing center has a video surveillance system. That could be a sign that it’s a safer location for your loved one to live. Also, if your loved one should ever run into problems relating to abuse or neglect at a nursing home or other long-term care facility, find out what your legal options are.
