Hi Everyone,

I have had cameras installed at my moms, to aid in helping her stay in her home. After a few minor glitches,( I can say that now, but when it was happening, it wasn't fun) they are working. I have been monitoring her, long distance for 2 days now and it has helped to re-enforce my feelings that she is able to be in her own home, and I will be able to catch any problems and fix them, or know better when she needs more care and/or supervision. Also when caregivers are present, I can also monitor that she is being well taken care of by knowing how she is being treated by others. Just thought this might be an idea that could help others who are in a similar situation as I am.

Hi Mae,
I appreciate your thoughts on cameras being also allowed in care facilities. I think that is a good idea, it would make it so much less worrisome to know that a parent is getting good care and help them to be taken care of better when care is not as it should be. I am not trying to say cameras need to be used in all situations, but there are times when technology is a blessing .

I tell you what, I think you should be aloud to have cameras in a care facility where aloved on resides.One where you can observe.
With so many having to be concerned for a loved one, cameras are going to play an important part.

ec kostrubala and Mae,

Thank you for your very kind words


So many times people don't embrace technology, and in this case technology has become my friend. I have less stress because I can check on my mother, what she does daily and I can spot problems before they happen and fix them. I am so glad there are some seeing the help this can be. Thank you so much for your post, I just hope my daughters camera idea to use for my mom will be used to help others who may then be able to stay where they want to in their own homes.

I saw a program , on TV , where the son lived so far away from his mom, so he went high tech, with cameras, etc, to be able to watch cretain areas of the house.

I think that is an innovative idea. And I'll bet the use of cameras will be more prolific as time goes on. You are right - a lot of our elders want to live at home, fearing assisted living or nursing homes. It can be very difficult when the adult children don't live in the same city and the parent refuses to move. What to do? I think your option of cameras to monitor both your mother and those who come in to help her is a good one. Especially as she has short term memory problems, since you want to know for yourself if those who come in to help her are treating her well, or not, since your mother won't remember.

Also, if it ever comes to a situation where you need proof to show to an authority, if the cameras record what they see, you have that proof. (ie - mom's leaving stove top on with cloths nearby, mom's leaving oven on with nothing inside it, mom's not taking her medicines, mom's not eating healthy food but only tater chips and Cokes, mom's answering the door to strangers and letting them inside - things like that.) You'll need such proof should it come down to having to have your mother be legally under your care, as her gaurdian, if she is resistant to that. Not to mention the cameras will catch any crime going on should Mom answer the door to a stranger, who barges inside and hurts her or steals. Just this August a 77 year old man, living alone, answered his door in broad daylight. Two young men barged in, stabbed him 7 times, robbed the house and fled.

They targeted an elder's home. The poor man was placed in hospital. Nobody knows who the criminals are - so far as I know they're still on the loose. Cameras would catch their image for police.

I think you have an innovative idea. ec kostrubala

I think your question is a good one and I will try to answer it the best I can, she has been told they are there, but she has short term memory loss, so she doesn't necessarily remember. It is a fine line when you deal with an elderly parent and in my mothers case I felt it was something that was necessary to aid in her care and help her to be where she wants to be, in her own home. These cameras are NOT in private areas. They are working well for me and my mother, and actually are very unobtrusive and are not causing her any stress.

How does your mom feel about having the cameras, if you don't mind me asking? Long-distance care is quite a new concept to me but I find your idea interesting, at least your mom has someone watching her.