I'm a new caregiver on a private assignment. The "lead" caregiver has purchased cameras to install in our client's home. The client has mild dementia and I think the idea of cameras are completely unnecessary and a violation of her privacy. The daughter is also against the cameras, but feels "shut out" by the lead caregiver and feels she has no say. I told the daughter she needs to have a sit down with the caregiver and express her and her mother's concerns, but she says the caregiver brushes her off. Yes, I'm wondering what I've gotten myself into. I always try to be respectful of my clients and their family and obey the laws regarding the rights of my clients so I'm having a hard time with this situation. Also, the church is somehow involved in all of this. It all seems very unsavory to me. Who can I talk to or am I blowing things out of shape?
Go with your gut instincts & be careful because 'if you lie with dogs don't be surprised if you get fleas' is an old expression meaning be aware you don't get a bad reputation by associating with these people
Was that camera written into your contract before you signed on or is it a change in your working conditions? - because then you have the right to refuse to be on camera so put a bag over it
The cameras were at the expense of the elder. The family should ask to see the receipt and confirm that the church doesn't also have new cameras, at the elder's expense.
Tip of the iceberg?
Old school here: Trained to always get the patient's permission, even to touch the patient. Not to do so was legally "assault and battery". Think about it.
Chloe2U2,
You are, as a hired caregiver, in a tough spot. But I want to say the world could use more caring and concerned people like you, careful people. Good for you!
The caregiver absolutely has NO RIGHT to install cameras when the elder and daughter have said they do not want them. I would fire the lead caregiver if she showed such an additude regarding my families rights to determine what goes on in our home. She is over-stepping boundaries and seems to feel entitled to do what she wants regardless of what the home owner wants. This can become a dangerous situation. I believe in cameras - but there is something wrong happening here.
Perhaps the church and "lead caregiver" have POA? Guardianship?
I can't imagine how a caregiver can "brush off" concerns about installing a camera in the client's house. There is something fishy afoot, I fear.
If she is a contractor, then she cannot possibly make adaptations to her client's home without her client's or her client's representative's consent. So I'm wondering where she gets the idea that it's her decision to make.
If the homeowner or the daughter do not agree to this then it can not / should not be done.
Now I agree that a security camera is a good idea. But it has to be my idea. And I have to be the one to have it installed.
There is no way I would want any caregiver, or anyone else for that matter, to have access to view what is going on in my home.
If this is a caregiver from an agency I would have the caregiver replaced, she or he sounds like they are getting a little to "comfy" and boundaries are being overstepped. If this is a privately hired caregiver it may be time to look for another "lead" caregiver.
And by the way there is no way I would allow the type of monitoring that you describe in my house. A baby monitor is one thing but to have the type of system that you describe so the caregiver can view what is going on at any time from anyplace is excessive.
I read your question a few times. I get your concerned but what I didn't see is why you're concerned. I put cameras in my dad's home when he was going to have different nurses and caregivers in and out. It helped me to keep track of everything. It's common enough to have cameras when multiple people are coming and going out of a house, don't you think so?
I wish you the best in your new assignment. Hopefully nothing bad is happening there. If there is something nagging at you after you are more familiar with the situation, then you can always go to local social workers and voice your concerns. :-)
Whomever hire the lead Caregiver has a right to ask for those cameras to be removed. For some reason the grown daughter seems afraid of this caregiver.
If the Caregivers came through a professional Caregiving Agency, it would make it easier as the Agency could step in and talk to the Caregiver.
It may not be the cameras per se that are objectionable, but their placement and terms of use should be agreed upon by all parties.
I wonder, legally, who owns the content. The homeowner, i would think.
I would be extremely suspicious of the motives of this "lead caregiver". Where did the daughter find Her? I wonder if a background check has been done.
I know you care a lot and want what's best for your client. I would escalate this with a social worker if necessary. Or the seniors department in your community. It is a huge invasion of privacy.
I took care of my dad on my own at home. I did install a Nest camera in the living room just to monitor him from work, but this was after three years and his health was declining. I told him about it and all my siblings. It was all too late, he passed a few weeks later.
I can see it from both sides. If there is a concern about safety, or potential abuse, then cameras can serve their purpose. But the mom and daughter have a right to refuse. I wouldn't even hesitate to mention the police if the lead caregiver over steps her boundaries.
Who hired you? If the client has dementia then I hope the daughter has POA but you might not be privy to this information
By private caregiver am I assuming correctly that they are not withholding taxes from your pay? Is so, you're doing yourself a disservice -you will need social security benefits some day and what if you were hurt in the line of duty ? Workers comp insurance exists for a reason
If this is the case, whether a church is involved or not it doesn't sound like the right position especially in relatively good economic times