• Home|
  • site map|
  • contact us|
  • Espanol

Medical Malpractice
Retained Objects From Surgery
Nursing Home and Elder Abuse
Products Liability
Managed Care Abuse & Insurance Company Misconduct
  • Fees
  • About WLLC
  • Attorneys
  • Resources
  • Questions
  • Library
  • Practice Areas

WLLC Blog

Nursing Home and Elder Abuse

  • Civil Penalties Against Assisted Living Facilities
  • Virginia Ranks No. 2 in Nation in Assisted Living Facility Beds
  • How you do investigate complaints against nursing homes?
  • Resident on Resident Violence in Nursing Homes
  • Nursing Home Patients Abused by Other Patients

view all

Library

Nursing Home and Elder Abuse

  • Revised Guidelines for Nursing Home Inspections

Virginia Medical Malpractice Blog - Williamson & Lavecchia, L.C.

Virginia Medical Malpractice Blog - Williamson & Lavecchia, L.C.
Blog Category:

Nursing Home and Elder Abuse

4/1/2009
Joshua D. Silverman
Comments (2)

Should surveillance cameras be permitted in nursing homes?

They are nicknamed "granny cams" and more people are asking about them.  With the prevalence of nursing home abuse and neglect families are looking for innovative ways to protect their loved ones.  Since no one can be at the nursing home all the time, many would like to resort to cameras to keep an eye on their loved ones. 

Nursing homes frequently ban the cameras. There are good arguments on both sides of the issue.  Nursing homes point to the right of privacy of the residents and their roommate.s  They argue that many residents lack the competence to consent to the cameras.  On the hand, families have a very legitimate interest in protecting their loved ones from abuse and neglect.

A cottage industry has developed selling "granny cams" that can be hidden inside air purifiers, alarm clocks,
There currently is no law in Virginia requiring nursing homes to permit family members to install "granny cams."  

What do you think: Should Virginia enact a law to require nursing homes to permit "granny cams?"  Please send me an email with your thoughts or comments.

Joshua Silverman

 



Labels: abuse camera granny cam nursing home
Bookmark and Share


2 Comments to "Should surveillance cameras be permitted in nursing homes?"

Dear Chari,

Please accept our condolences on the loss of your brother. I admire your advocacy to prevent similar tragedies. I believe cameras should be permitted with appropriate safeguards including protecting the privacy of roommates, requiring consent from residents capable of consenting, and steps to prevent the misuse of the videos and photos.

I think you are contacting the correct people. In my experience sending letters is useful, but be persistent in seeking an in-person meeting with your assemblymen. Also email may be more effective than letters at getting through to your assemblymen.

Thank you for your comments and please don't give up.

Josh Silverman
Posted by Joshua D. Silverman on April 20, 2009 at 09:13 AM
My mentally challenged brother lived in a group home and suspiciously died in a sleep, which is now under criminal investigation. So yes I am all for having surveillance cameras in nursing homes, group homes in daycare centers. I am from the Syracuse New York area and presently trying to get a bill passed to make this mandatory. It is not an invasion of privacy but peace of mind to those family members who need to know that their loved ones are being properly taken care of. I have sent letters to assemblyman, two senators, county executive and local legislator. So far I have only receive response from the county executive and the legislator. If you agree, please give me some advice as to how to continue to get this bill passed. Thank you, Chari
Posted by chari carletta on April 19, 2009 at 12:50 PM

Post a comment

Post a Comment to "Should surveillance cameras be permitted in nursing homes?"

To reply to this message, enter your reply in the box labeled "Message", hit "Post Message."

Name:*

Email:* (will not be published)

Website:

Message:

Notify me of follow-up comments via email.

For security purposes, please enter the graphic text in the box below: [hit F5 if you can not read the text]

Let Us Know How We Can Help

Williamson & Lavecchia, L.C.
6800 Paragon Place
Suite 233
Richmond, VA 23230-1652
Phone: (804) 288-1661
Fax: (804) 282-1766

News

  • Williamson & Lavecchia, L.C. Launches Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Website

FAQs

Nursing Home and Elder Abuse

  • Where can I learn more about nursing home abuse and neglect?

  • How can I find out if a nursing home has been cited by the Department of Health?
  • Should an adult home be restraining its residents?
  • Is an adult home legally responsible for crimes committed against its residents?
  • What questions are important to ask when selecting an attorney to represent a loved one abused or neglected at an adult home?

View All

  • |Home|
  • Firm Overview|
  • Information|
  • Case Results|
  • FAQs|
  • Library|
  • Links|
  • Profiles|
  • Fees|
  • Directions|
  • Contact Us|

©2006 Williamson & Lavecchia, L.C., All Rights Reserved, Reproduced with Permission
Web Site Design, Search Engine Optimization, Content, and Management by Foster Web Marketing