An idea regarding Nursing Homes....

[Joe Guy]

This morning I was remembering my uncle, who was a great friend to me and taught me a lot.

In 2004 he passed away in a nursing home. While he was there, between my mother and I, he had a visitor every day of the week.

A nursing home can be very depressing. We've all heard horror stories. At my uncle's home there were people there who seemed to never have visitors. I couldn't tell you for a fact but I believe that those who had no one coming to visit were less cared for and possibly neglected. It almost makes sense. If nobody is checking on the condition of an old person who is near death, the staff isn't going to go out of their way to care for them make them feel comfortable and look more presentable.

Some workers will do the minimum for those who are unfortunate and have no one to advocate for them.

Moments ago I thought, 'Hey! There ought to be a law to ensure that old folks are cared for in a respectful way when they are in a nursing home.'

Of course, I'm sure there IS a law on the books for that.

So, here's what I was thinking. What if the law required nursing homes to have video cameras in patient's rooms that could be accessed from the internet? It might cause workers to act more responsibly if they knew they might be being watched.

Access to the internet videos would only be given to people who have relatives in the facility and which ever government agency regulates nursing homes. This would be good for both the relative and the occupant. The relative could check in often and make sure things are looking okay and the occupant might feel better knowing they are being watched by their families.

The idea just popped into my head today. Does it sound possible that something like this might be able to be made into law? Do you have any comments, negative or positive?

[Gob]

Nice idea Joe, but it removes the old person's privacy.

[Joe Guy]

Privacy from what?

How would the level of privacy be different from having a relative as a visitor? Or living with a relative?

I'm willing to make adjustments. How about if the cameras were only on during visiting hours? I'd prefer always having access, but I would be willing to compromise if needed if it would help to get a law passed.

[PMS Princess]

I think too many people would start screaming if the government tried to enforce cameras. There are a few advocate groups that can provide help. As an individual in California, you could install a 'nanny cam' in a relative's private room as long as the facility is made aware as well as the resident, there should be no problem. Especially if it's a well run home. Joe, I completely agree about occupants that don't have visitors get overlooked. I've had family and friends in nursing homes and have worked as a home caretaker. It saddens me that most of my experiences were negative. Even more so was that people could neglect or ignore elder abuse. I've seen incidents of caretakers under the influence, patients left in diapers for days, stealing gifts and personal items from patients, and even not being fed for two days. One place had one of the residents watching 6 others (including dispensing meds)while the owners were away. On the positive side, we found an incredible nursing home run by a Japanese couple (IMO they have much more respect for their elders in their culture). The care and and attention given was equal among all occupants and they encouraged visitors. There was such respect for the occupants. You just don't see that in typical nursing homes, although private ones are a little better. I wish there were more nursing homes run that way.

[Gob]

Privacy from what?

.

Well privacy from having your relatives watching you when you're having a sly wank would be my main concern...

[rubato]

Privacy from what?
... "

From all the things you would not post on the net about the insides of your own kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.

Old people are still human beings with dignity which deserves to be respected.

yrs,
rubato

[Joe Guy]

Privacy from what?... "

From all the things you would not post on the net about the insides of your own kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.

Old people are still human beings with dignity which deserves to be respected.

Did you read what I wrote?

If so, you've missed the point, which is that this idea is intended to ensure that nursing home occupants would receive the dignity and respect that they deserve.

And you had to have missed where I wrote that only concerned relatives would have access to the nursing home cameras - not everyone "on the net".

I didn't say that cameras should be in the bathrooms. It should show the occupant the same as when a visitor is in the room.

Most of all I was trying to get ideas from others as to how to make this idea workable.

Until you have someone in that situation (and you really care) you will not understand that what I'm presenting is a potential way to ensure that elderly people in nursing homes are cared for in a responsible & respectful way.

[rubato]

Try thinking it through next time.

You didn't.


yrs,
rubato

[TPFKA@W]

The idea has been tossed around. While I believe it would seriously improve how patients are treated I don't see it happening because of the dignity/privacy issues. One thing that can be done is have cameras in the hallways, and a number of facilities do that already. It is recorded then whether or not a patient in a room has at least been looked in on.

Not all nursing homes are terrible by a long shot. Many of the Nurses and aids do a fabulous job. You would be surprised at how staff adopts people who have no one else.

[Joe Guy]

Try thinking it through next time.

You didn't.

I used to think that you just enjoyed playing the part of an asshole.

Nowadays I don't.

I'm convinced you aren't acting.

Not only that, you are thick as a brick.

Let me rephrase that in rubato-speak;

Only a dick headed retarded pussy whipped spousal-parasite would not understand the point of this thread.

[Joe Guy]

The idea has been tossed around. While I believe it would seriously improve how patients are treated I don't see it happening because of the dignity/privacy issues.

Please explain how dignity & privacy would be affected. This would be no different than having a visitor all day, which is what I think most of them would appreciate.

Also, maybe the details of what a patient would allow could be written into an 'Advance Care Health Directive'. I don't have it all worked out. That's why I started this thread.

One thing that can be done is have cameras in the hallways, and a number of facilities do that already. It is recorded then whether or not a patient in a room has at least been looked in on.

That's a good idea, but could be better.

Not all nursing homes are terrible by a long shot. Many of the Nurses and aids do a fabulous job. You would be surprised at how staff adopts people who have no one else.

I agree but I believe there are too many nursing homes that give substandard care and get away with it. I've seen it myself and have heard from others who have had bad experiences.

But I'm addressing the problem with those who are in nursing homes that have little or no advocates and/or relatives that care enough to check on them every day - or even every week or month. If internet cameras were available even the lazy & mostly thoughtless and selfish relatives might check in on their older family elders more often.

Or maybe their doctors could check on them occasionally.

I'm trying to figure out how this might work. I believe it could work and the concern about "privacy issues" could be resolved legally.

[dales]

Only a dick headed retarded pussy whipped spousal-parasite would not understand the point of this thread.

Tis Saturday afternoon aprox. 1700 hrs PST.

[rubato]

Try thinking it through next time.

You didn't.

I used to think that you just enjoyed playing the part of an asshole.

Nowadays I don't.

I'm convinced you aren't acting.

Not only that, you are thick as a brick.

Let me rephrase that in rubato-speak;

Only a dick headed retarded pussy whipped spousal-parasite would not understand the point of this thread.

Nothing will make you appear more intelligent than you are.

sorry.

yrs,
rubato

[Joe Guy]

Nothing will make you appear more intelligent than you are.

The essence of rubato.

[Rick]

I'm thinkin this could only be legal if it satisfies 45 cfr 164.514(e)(2) of HIPPA.

But then I'm not a lawyer...

[dales]

I'm thinkin this could only be legal if it satisfies 45 cfr 164.514(e)(2) of HIPPO.

But then I'm not a lawyer...

ficksed

[liberty]

caretakers under the influence, patients left in diapers for days, stealing gifts and personal items from patients, and even not being fed for two days

Words fail me; I better stop before I resort to vulgarity.

[liberty]

I'm trying to figure out how this might work. I believe it could work and the concern about "privacy issues" could be resolved legally.

I also believe it could be made to work.

[MajGenl.Meade]

The idea has been tossed around

I think that was Gob's objection?

[TPFKA@W]

Please explain how dignity & privacy would be affected. This would be no different than having a visitor all day, which is what I think most of them would appreciate.

Well Joe, when care is being done, and we are talking bed baths and cleaning up after incontinence the patient is frequently nude or partially nude or has some bit they would not care for family members to see exposed.

Now in your mind it might not bother you but trust me, it can be of paramount concern, particularly to older ladies. It may be a wrinkly old ass, but it's their wrinkly old ass.

Some people weren't meant to be on the Truman show, even if only one viewer is tuned in.