If you have made the choice to place your loved one in a nursing home, we understand that you make this decision because that is where your loved one can receive the best care. However, instances of nursing home abuse are not uncommon. Abuses that occur in nursing homes are abhorrent, but family members often struggle to prove that their loved one has been abused. Many people wonder if family members are allowed to use cameras inside nursing home residents’ rooms in Massachusetts. Here, the nursing home abuse attorneys in Boston at Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. want to discuss the legality nursing home camera use.
As of this writing, it is currently not legal for family members to place cameras inside of their loved one’s nursing home room in Massachusetts. As of 2020, only the states of Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington have laws that allow the placement of cameras in residents’ rooms. Even then, the placement of a camera can only occur if the resident and their roommate have both consented. Each state has specific laws about who can provide consent in these scenarios.
There has been discussion over the years about whether or not family members should be allowed to put cameras in nursing homes in Massachusetts. There is no denying that nursing home abuse occurs, and this type of abuse can take many forms. At Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C., our nursing home abuse lawyers regularly help clients who suspect their loved ones have suffered from:
A report from the National Council on Aging indicates that one out of every ten people over the age of 65 will experience some form of elder abuse each year in this country.
For most people, it would make sense to allow family members to install cameras in nursing homes so they can monitor their loved one’s care. However, cameras do raise privacy concerns for residents and caregivers.
Nursing home residents may not want to be monitored while they are in a vulnerable state, such as bathing or changing. Additionally, if a recording device also picks up sound, a resident’s conversations will no longer be private. Additionally, many nursing home rooms have more than one resident. A camera could violate the privacy of roommates.
If you suspect that your loved one has been abused inside of a nursing home, please seek legal assistance immediately. At Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C., we will work with law enforcement officials to help ensure that your loved one is taken care of. We will conduct a full investigation into your case in an effort to secure the compensation your loved one and your family needs in this situation. This can include:
If you need a Boston nursing home abuse attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or by calling 617-917-3917.