My dad lives about 4 hours from me. For now, he wants to stay in his home. He has a caregiver 3XS a week come check on him. Has anyone put in video cameras. I think this is becoming a necessity. Lots of times, I can't reach my dad by phone. I would like something I can view on my phone whenever I need too. Thank you!
I used cameras and door open/close detectors from Wyze. I found them to be inexpensive, good quality and easy to set up and maintain. You will need Wi-Fi. I put them in the main areas (making sure not pointing to bathrooms in case people didn’t shut the door all the way!). I did not hide them.
The door open/close detectors helped me know when someone was going in or out, so I knew I people were coming when they said and staying with Mom (who at the time needed eyeballs on her 24/7) not outside without her for hours, which happened. If your dad has valuables in the home though, he needs to get them out or lock them up. Most of our theft was food when one aid kept stealing the other aids’ food, but things like jewelry or meds need to be in a lockbox because the cameras might show you who did it, but they can’t get the stuff back.
https://www.wyze.com/
Every state (or country) has different laws about cameras, but in Kansas we did not have an issue. Here there’s even a state law permitting cameras in assisted living or nursing care as long as certain guidelines are followed. I’d say the vast majority of the aids and hospice staff were unbothered and just got on with their work.
What does your Dad think?
If you or he don’t like the security cameras, you might consider an Amazon Echo or a Facebook Portal. I’ve read on the forum that at least one of those make a device you can set to auto-answer so you can voice or video chat. I don’t have first-hand knowledge.
Thanks!