A new law allows residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Rhode Island to have cameras installed in their rooms.
“For residents and their loved ones who desire it, in-room cameras can provide a means of contact, oversight and protection,” said Senator Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown), who also chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee. “This does not impose an additional cost on the nursing home, as the devices will be paid for by the resident or their family and it will not constitute an invasion of privacy, as cameras would only be installed at the request of the resident and with the consent of any and all roommates. Rather, this law will provide an additional tool to preserve continuity of care for residents and families who opt in.”
Said Representative Knight (D-Dist. 67, Barrington, Warren), “This is about giving families and patients a sense of security. This law takes advantage of the technology that is available today to allow for monitoring for a good purpose, which is to keep an eye on grandma or grandpa in the nursing home. The point of this monitoring isn’t adversarial, but rather to assist the collaborative care relationship between the resident, their family and the nursing home for the safety, health and benefit of all residents.”
Advocates said it will improve safety for both residents and staff.
Residents and/or their families will be responsible for the cost of the cameras.
(Photo credit DAVID MCNEW/AFP via Getty Images)