Most people in South Carolina have either struggled themselves with how to care for an elderly relative or know someone who has had to make the tough decision to put a loved one in a nursing home. These situations are difficult on many levels. The cost of care is excessive and may even be out of reach for some people. Then there is the need for families to assess the quality of medical care their relatives receive. On top of all of that, the reality of nursing home abuse and neglect raises serious questions about the safety of residents in these facilities.
Knowing that abuse and neglect is such a problem in nursing homes, it only makes sense that some people have thought to install cameras in their relatives’ nursing home rooms. However, as explained by The National Interest, these cameras are not without their controversy. Cameras are accused of violating the privacy of any roommates, but also possibly of the residents themselves.
If a person has dementia or other cognitive condition, many wonder if they can legally provide the consent for a camera to be installed in their room. Footage in cameras would involve very personal moments such as bathing, toileting and getting dressed. Some even fear that nursing home staff may avoid the cameras for fear of retribution.
This information is not intended to provide legal advice but is instead meant to give people in South Carolina some insights into the issues related to the use of cameras or other devices as a means to keep residents in nursing homes safe from abuse or neglect.