Monitoring Your Elderly Loved Ones and Caregivers: Which In-Home Video Camera is Best?
August 21, 2019
Are you looking to keep a watchful eye on your aging loved one? Would like to be able to get live updates on the status and safety of your loved one for some extra peace of mind? Want to check in on your caregivers to make sure they are giving mom her medicine at the right time?
A great way to do this is by setting up a home camera. These days, there are many different options, ranging in price and quality, so how do you choose which is best for you and your family member?
At-home monitoring cameras have come a very long way in the past few years, with many of the quality ones including wide-view lenses so you have visibility into all angles of large rooms, high definition video, recording, night vision, motion/sound detection, and connection to “smart” devices like Alexa or Google Home. To start using most of them, you only need a place to mount or put the device, a wi-fi connection, and a smartphone to install the monitoring app.
The ones below are some excellent options across a variety of budgets.
Kamtron Wireless Security Camera - $45.99
Broad field of view
Monitor from multiple devices
Local and cloud storage for videos
Rating
4.4 out of 5 stars
Gave me huge peace of mind! February 23, 2019
Installed this in my elderly father's apartment. He has fallen twice and will not wear the life alert. Last fall he was on floor overnight for over 12 hrs. Cameras have given me such a relief. Now I can periodically check on him and if he does look like he needs help and can't reach phone, I can talk to him with the camera.
Amazon Cloud Cam - $89.99
Night Vision
Works particularly well with Alexa
Syncs with other Amazon Cloud Cameras if you get multiple
Can upgrade for additional recording features
Rating:
4.0 out of 5 stars
They are great. They allow me to check in on her, May 9, 2018
I have four of these installed throughout my elderly mother's home. They are great. They allow me to check in on her regularly via my phone, and very importantly, they also give me the peace of mind knowing that the home care provider who takes care of her also gets a five star rating.
Ring Stick Up Cam - $179.99
Versatile mounting options
Works with Alexa
Review, save and share videos
Rating:
4.3 out of 5 stars
Great system for elderly, February 24, 2019
This camera has been the best tool for keeping an eye on my elderly parents. It’s great because I can also talk to them through the camera. I Highly recommend these cameras for someone looking for a camera system to watch out for elderly family members.
Have an old iPhone or Android device lying around? Simply download the Alfred Camera App on both phones, sign in with your Gmail account, and set one phone as the viewer and one as the camera.
Rating:
Rating:
4.7 out of 5 stars
I never knew video surveillance could be THIS easy on a phone... February 24, 2019
An absolutely enjoyable experience. Easy setup, easy access - if you are looking for a VERY important reason to hang onto your old smartphones, THIS IS IT, hands down.
All of these are great, easy to set up, and affordable options. They can be invaluable in providing peace of mind, and in monitoring the safety of your loved one. But, as great as this technology is, we want to remind you that it is very important to consider the consent of your loved one when it comes to using a home camera or recording device. In many cases, it is illegal to record individuals without their explicit consent, and your loved one could consider such a device as an invasion of their privacy. It is always best to inform them, or any caregivers that may be filmed, of your intentions and ask them for consent to record them.
We acknowledge that with the senior population, there may also be situations in which a senior loved one is unable to consent due to cognitive issues. This leaves the decision of consent up to their legal guardian. We recommend taking proper steps to gain consent prior to the set-up of any device.
Leave a comment below if you’ve found a creative way to gain peace of mind while your parent lives at home.
