Last year, Ohio law expanded the required number of people that have to report elder abuse suspicions. The number of cases of nursing home abuse doubled. Therefore lawmakers sought to diminish abuse by allowing cameras to be placed in resident’s bedrooms.
About Nursing Home Abuse
Placing an elderly loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility can be a heart-wrenching decision. Millions of families each year have to consider placing a parent or grandparent in a facility where their medical needs and day-to-day living needs can be met. We would like to think that the people with whom we entrust their care will provide the same standard of care we gave, but, sadly, that is often not the case. In fact, nursing home abuse and neglect are becoming an epidemic in the United States, and what is taking place in these homes is despicable.
Nursing Home Cameras
Next month, a bill will be introduced in the Ohio House and Senate to give residents the power of attorney to have nursing home cameras in their bedrooms. On representative is pushing the bill after his mother suffered from abuse. She was living with dementia when her son realized that workers were abusing her. However, he couldn’t prove it. Therefore, he planted a hidden camera in her room for six weeks, and the results were shocking. The son caught eight aides abusing her. The nursing home said it wasn’t allowed, and the filming was illegal.
Some people have privacy concerns, however, if the resident agrees then there isn’t any harm. Some homes are not private, therefore both residents need to agree. There are six states that already allow hidden cameras, but for only specific kinds of nursing homes. The bill will also require a sign to alert people of the camera in the room.
Even though there are nearly 20,000 reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation each year in Ohio. Experts estimate this is only a fourth of actual cases.
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