Cameras in Nursing Homes

We are frequently asked by the families of nursing home residents if it is acceptable to place a surveillance camera in the resident’s room to help monitor the care. The answer is normally no to that question. Nursing homes are medical care facilities. Other residents may come into the room. Photographing or videotaping them violated their rights of privacy. Nursing home employees likewise claim such cameras violated their privacy rights as well. While mini cameras or “granny cams” as they are sometimes called may seem like an easy way to watch loved one, the privacy concerns are real and may outweigh the perceived benefit of the camera.