Edina, MN – When Jean H. Peters first moved her aging mother, Jackie Hourigan, into an assisted living facility in 2011, the atmosphere seemed welcoming and the grounds beautifully maintained. Yet beneath the surface, troubling signs soon emerged. According to Peters, a retired nurse-practitioner from Bloomington, Minnesota, her mother, who was struggling with memory issues at 82 and widowed, was often left in bed well into the morning, unattended and neglected.
Hourigan frequently missed meals, she was left in soaked pants due to improper toileting, and most distressingly showed unexplained bruises. Peters and her siblings raised their concerns with the facility’s management multiple times, only to be met with a stream of excuses. This lack of care led them to take matters into their own hands. They covertly installed a camera atop the refrigerator in their mother’s apartment, worried that discovery might lead to her eviction.
What they witnessed through their mobile app was deeply disturbing: Hourigan being verbally abused and roughly handled by an aide, and left unable to access communal areas like the dining room due to mobility issues. “It was traumatic to learn that we were right about our suspicions,” Peters remarked on the harsh reality they faced.
Driven by her ordeal, in 2016, following her mother’s death, Peters co-founded Elder Voice Advocates. This organization played a pivotal role in pushing for Minnesota legislation, passed in 2019, that allows cameras in both nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
This legislative movement has seen significant growth, reflecting a rising national trend driven by demands from worried families and technological advancements. Since Minnesota’s law, at least 17 other states have adopted similar legislation, including Illinois, Texas, and Washington, with numerous others considering proposals. These laws provide a legal framework that mandates consent from residents, potential roommates, and notification through signage warning that recording may take place.
Amid the pandemic, when lockdown measures prevented families from visiting loved ones, the push for such legislative support intensified. Lori Smetanka, Executive Director of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, noted, “During COVID-19, the inability to see loved ones heightened the urgency for a means to ensure their well-being.”
Technological ease has also fostered acceptance; cameras have become less obtrusive and more integrated into everyday life, often used for simple family check-ins as well as safety monitoring. Families such as Kari Shaw’s in Maple Grove, Minnesota, have embraced this technology not just out of fear of neglect, but to maintain familial connections — ensuring peace of mind regarding the safety and health of their loved ones.
However, this increasing surveillance has not been without controversy. Concerns about privacy, dignity, and the autonomy of residents, particularly during intimate care routines or personal visits, remain significant. Clara Berridge, a gerontologist at the University of Washington, highlights that while intentions behind these camera installations are well-meaning, the implications on privacy and the everyday dignity of residents must be carefully considered.
Moreover, while cameras may expose neglect or abuse, they do not address the root causes of these issues. “A camera is a symptom of larger systemic problems within elder care facilities that require more profound reforms,” said Berridge. The real solutions involve enhancing training, improving staff ratios, and ensuring stringent oversight from state and federal bodies.
The debate continues as states weigh the benefits against ethical concerns. While the increasing prevalence of cameras in elder care settings marks a shift towards greater transparency, the journey towards reforming care practices and ensuring dignity for the elderly is ongoing and complex.
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