Family Members Using "Granny Cams" to Catch Nursing Home Abuse
With the proliferation of elder abuse and neglect in nursing homes becoming a growing concern across the country, family members have begun using hidden video cameras, dubbed "granny cams," to catch abuse of their loved ones by nursing home staff members. Though nursing home administrators dislike the practice, hidden cameras have helped family members hold nursing homes accountable through legal action.
Hidden cameras have played a role in many recent incidents of elder abuse. Earlier this year, an Ohio man used a hidden camera to catch two employees abusing his 78-year-old mother. A wrongful death suit was brought against workers in a New Jersey nursing home after cameras caught them abusing an 87-year-old resident who later died. In addition, officials in New York arrested 22 nursing home workers after hidden cameras revealed widespread abuse at two facilities.
The use of cameras has been controversial and nursing home administrators are obviously opposed to them. Currently, only three states -- Texas, Minnesota, and New Mexico -- have laws guaranteeing a resident's right to have a camera in their room. However, their prevalence demonstrates the growing concern about elder abuse among concerned family members. The best way to prevent abuse and neglect is for family members to be vigilant in detecting abuse and the hidden cameras provide a tool to help family members who cannot monitor their loved one's care 24 hours a day.
