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* Press release…
Attorney General Lisa Madigan [yesterday] announced a legislative proposal that will allow nursing home residents and their families to provide video or audio monitoring devices in their rooms to ensure their safety and well-being.
The initiative stems from recent complaints Madigan has received from residents and their families who are concerned for their relatives’ care and security. Madigan’s proposal would allow residents of nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities or their family members to purchase and install video or audio monitoring devices in their rooms.
The Attorney General cited an increasing need for additional safety measures at Illinois nursing homes as the state’s population continues to age. Currently, Illinois has over 1,200 nursing home facilities with over 100,000 residents. The U.S. Census Bureau also estimates that by 2030, 22.3 percent of Illinois’ population will be aged 60 and older, an increase of more than 28 percent from 2012.
“At some point, we are all likely to face having a family member in a nursing home,” Attorney General Madigan said. “Providing residents and their families the option to install monitoring devices in their rooms will provide peace of mind that our loved ones are being cared for in the best possible manner.”
* React…
In a statement, Health Care Council of Illinois, which lobbies on behalf of the nursing home industry, did not indicate whether the group was for or against the proposal.
“We look forward to working with our elected officials in reviewing data on this issue and making sure our residents are protected,” Pat Comstock, the executive director of the group, was quoted as saying. “The safety of all our residents is of the highest priority.” Comstock added that privacy of residents is also a serious concern.
* The Question: Do you support this concept? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 2:35 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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Most care in nursing homes is terrific. But, when something bad happens, it is really bad.
Comment by Belle Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 2:40 pm
I put unsure … because I think this is a possibility but there needs to be some safeguards. These are really cool devices, but they are intrusive. Any such device needs to be used in private rooms only. While you can aim a device directly at a relative, the sound is not so limiting. They can also permit the person doing the monitoring to speak through the unit. This would be disconcerting to a roommate.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 2:43 pm
Cameras can only show what might happen in a room. Additionally, they can be tampered with to be rendered useless. Although I think this is a well intentioned concept I don’t think it is going to solve the problem.
Comment by Stones Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 2:43 pm
I voted yes, because why not? The cost is on the families who want the audio or video feed, so that shouldn’t be an issue. I think families of those with profound disabilities should be careful though. Dementia comes to mind as something that I wouldn’t want an audio feed of if it was my loved one.
My parents are both gone, but I like to think my mother-in-law will move in with me and the kids before a nursing home, which I know is a last resort for most people.
Older adults with good mental capacity shouldn’t need this, but if they do, then surely it should not be deined to them. If there is suspected mis-treatment, this kind of thing can mitigate it or make some people think twice before stealing or abusing a patient/resident.
It’s not for everyone, but those who want it should be able to have it.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 2:44 pm
Tough one, but I say no because most rooms have more than one patient in them, and I would not want some stranger seeing my parent or grandparent having a medical issue or their bedpan changed. Privacy is important, and I do not trust non-professionals to install recording devices of any kind.
Comment by Western Ave. Doug Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 2:47 pm
They can’t do that now? If their own room? I didn’t know that.
I voted “yes,” of course, if all residents of the room are in agreement.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 2:50 pm
Might ensure that Rauner Inc. can’t cause harm to any more nursing home patients.
Comment by anon Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 2:52 pm
I voted “unsure”. While the costs of such items falls on the family, who pays for the wireless internet within the facility? Thats a lot of data streaming through the multiple routers..depending on the size of the facility. Plus, do we require the facilities to insure that the wireless network has the latest and greatest security measures?
Comment by Bulbous1 Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 2:53 pm
Unsure.
My initial reaction is a strong “yes”, with the consent of the patient in the nursing home.
My only pause stems from the same reason pilots oppose constant monitoring while in the cockpit of their airplane. Taking any single moment out of context can destroy the career and reputation of someone.
Imagine tuning in to the nursing home webcam for a moment, only to see someone restraining your beloved parent suffering from Alzheimer’s? What if you tune in just seconds after the part where your parent momentarily lashed out at the employee in an instant of panic, fear and confusion?
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 2:54 pm
Voted uncertain. Can the nursing home obtain a copy of the video/audio or is only for the patient’s family? Is this recorded to a tape or is it live feed? Tend to agree with Western Ave. Doug.
Comment by Bogey Golfer Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 2:58 pm
Translation:
Comstock: “We are hoping SEIU can kill this.”
Comment by Juvenal Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 3:04 pm
Yes with all the cases of elder abuse and neglect that go unreported. FKA brings up an interesting point, and I imagine this could bring up patient privacy/power of attorney issues. I am concerned by the implication this cannot be done under current law.
If you’re Rauner, what do you say when a reporter asks you about this proposal?
Comment by Dirty Red Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 3:16 pm
this makes sense along with daycare facilities for infants/small children.
Comment by dog days Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 3:16 pm
Unsure, but leaning yes. It could really shine a light on nursing home abuse and neglect, but there are a lot of things that will be just ugly to see, abuse or not.
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 3:17 pm
Absolutely yes. I’ve had too many bad experiences with nursing homes and aging parents.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 3:23 pm
Uncertain.
“While the costs of such items falls on the family, who pays for the wireless internet within the facility? That’s a lot of data streaming through the multiple routers..depending on the size of the facility. Plus, do we require the facilities to insure that the wireless network has the latest and greatest security measures?”
———————————-
Somebody gets it. You get 10 or so of these cameras up and running at the same time (even if all motion sensitive), there better be one heck of an internet pipe in/out of the facility to carry the load. And if it’s high resolution, it’s likely to crawl.
And remember all these ISP service providers are starting to go to tiered service plans. You run something like this 24/7, better plan on opening up your wallet.
And it’s dirt easy to hack a lot of these remote camera systems. With something like this remote video application, you’re likely going to end up pushing the streaming video into cloud storage.
This really needs to be thought through.
I’m just not sure this is a good idea.
Comment by Judgment Day Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 3:24 pm
JD, give me a break. Why is this the one place in the world where technology need not apply?
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 3:27 pm
“Have I told you about my watch?”
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 3:28 pm
If Lisa Madigan really wanted to do something useful, here’s what she should look into regulating.
“Automated license plate readers used by car repo companies, for example, collect billions of personal records per year, which contribute to vast databases that can be used by law enforcement, insurance companies, banks, and the like, with few limits.”
Link is: http://rt.com/usa/license-scanners-private-database-046/
But instead, she’s all hyped over something that likely won’t even be practical, because if more than several people setup these cameras per facility, the internet pipes are going to overload, not to mention the costs.
If you really want to be concerned about a threat to privacy (something that puts all the red light cameras to shame), here it is. License plate scanners.
When you understand how that data from license plate scanners is being used, there is incredible potential for abuse. And it’s happening.
What do we hear from Lisa Madigan? CRICKETS!
When I see articles with the save POV from reason.com, Huffington Post, the ACLU, rt.com, usatoday, and others - well, I know this is a story to be watched.
Just do a Google search on “license plate scanners” to get a feel for this issue.
IL Attorney General, where are you??
Comment by Judgment Day Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 3:40 pm
I voted unsure. As other posters have noted, the ability to capture and store 24/7 video feeds is not a given.
Besides, as a recognized prude, I’m against videotaping in all forms lol.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 3:41 pm
“JD, give me a break. Why is this the one place in the world where technology need not apply?”
Word, it doesn’t matter what you or I think. You may be able to put the tech in place, but you got to be able to run it. Over the internet. There’s a reason a lot of these video surveillance systems load the video to a local hard disk drive.
I’d love to see the internet service providers provide the pipes capable of running the amount of streaming video you are talking about. We need it. You are talking your own personalized version of Netflix - that’s a load. That’s why there’s been such ‘fights’ going on between Netflix and the ISP’s.
The streaming bandwidth just isn’t there right now for massive use. And the ISP’s will charge - serious money - that’s why there is an ongoing fight in the tech community over potential bandwidth ‘throttling’ by internet service providers - or ‘tiered pricing’ models.
Welcome to the ‘Net Neutrality” debate - even if it was an unintended entry.
Comment by Judgment Day Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 3:51 pm
Judgment Day, you’ve raised a valid issue that needs to be discussed. I have a monitor for my wife and have had connection problems with it. While there may be a technological method to deal with multiple devices in a facility, there will still be a concern about who pays for that. Nursing home funding has been a continuing problem.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 4:02 pm
Yes, this is a good use of technology. BTW, all public meetings should be live streamed as well and recorded and posted online. Low cost for transparency.
Comment by Jimmy Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 4:14 pm
=== Yes, this is a good use of technology. BTW, all public meetings should be live streamed as well and recorded and posted online. Low cost for transparency. ===
Jimmy, then you have no problem raising your taxes to pay for it or to pay a fee to see it?
No matter how good an idea is, the question needs to be asked as to how it will be funded. Do we increase revenue or readjust spending?
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 4:21 pm
How about Madigan puts cameras in all the backrooms of the capitol building in springfield so we can see all the backroom deals where her father wheels and deals!!
Comment by common sense Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 5:17 pm
Unless you can afford one of those $7000 a month plus operations in the north suburbs, this is a good idea. And why stop at nursing homes? Hospitals would also be a great location. The entire Veterans Administration healthcare system should be on camera.
It’s sad we’ve reached this point. But when it comes to life or death services, trust no one with your loved ones.
Comment by Cook County Commo Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 5:23 pm
I voted no, because “not sure” seems like a cop out.
I like the general idea, but as many people suggested their are many “buts” that need to be considered.
Comment by Modest Proposal Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 6:06 pm
unsure - If the staff can disconnect the video the family installs, it will be useless. If the staff can NOT disconnect the video at will, the security video will be a great access.
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