Monitoring Aging Loved Ones

By Author: Peter Rich
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The one thing we never want to do is grow old. Unfortunately, it's one of those unavoidable facts of life. Many people who are of the younger adult generation underestimate the emotional effects aging can have on a person. An aging parent or grandparent may be in good health but they still can't do as much as they used to. After having a busy and independent life, they may start to feel as though a level of independence is being taken away from them. When family members then suggest a retirement home or nursing facility, it's often met with resistance. What is really just concern from family members is often misunderstood. So are there other ways of ensuring that aging loved ones are okay when you are not around? One suggestion is to use camera surveillance.

Reasons why you may Want to Monitor Aging Family Members

Because the aging process is slow and gradual, many people don't notice its effects on their lifestyle. Sure, they get a little more tired and forgetful but it's not something that's obviously noticeable. The downside of this is there is no way to tell if it's just normal aging or something more serious ...
... that needs treatment. Even if it is normal aging, it could become a concern when older people start to forget to take medication or switch the heater off. Being able to monitor elderly family members by camera may be a way to ensure that they are safe. Some elderly people can be stubborn and refuse to take medication or pretend that they are yet instead flush it down the toilet. A camera monitoring their movements can alert you to situations like this.

Considerations for Monitoring Aging Loved Ones

When considering using cameras to monitor aging loved ones, it's important to be sensitive in your approach. Whether you decide to tell them about the monitoring or not, only you can decide. Much will depend on your family dynamics and relationships. Where and how you implement the monitoring will also depend if you have any specific concerns for your aging loved ones. If you feel they may be a danger to themselves in the kitchen then that's where you'd position the cameras. If you want to ensure they are taking their medication, you may want to have a camera pointing at the wash basin in the bathroom. If you want to find out what they spend their days doing then you may want to position cameras in the living room. Many older people will not take kindly to being spied on so you need to respect a degree of privacy when setting up the camera monitoring.

Additional Uses for Camera Monitoring

You may have special nursing care services looking after your elderly relatives. In this instance, a camera will allow you to watch the daily happenings in the home. You will be able to see the type and quality of care being provided to your family and if the caregivers are performing their duties properly. Most reputable nursing aides won't mind this as it will only endorse their high quality of care. However, if the caregivers are being negligent or abusive in any way then you can immediately pick up on this and address the issue before it harms anyone. You may want to know that your aging loved ones are getting to do their daily exercises or activities. Monitoring their comings and goings will give you peace of mind that they are being well taken care of.

You could also use cameras as additional security measures around the home. Because elderly people often fall prey to robberies and muggings, a camera fitted to the outside of their home could help them alert you and the police of any possible intruders. At the same time, if they enjoy gardening and are often outdoors then you can use the same camera to monitor their movements. The camera can also pick up if your elderly relatives are overworking themselves in the garden. This could be a health concern. By having the camera footage, you could possibly suggest getting someone in to help them on a part-time basis to do the heavy work. In this way, they can still enjoy the outdoors and working in the garden but they won't need to do any of the more difficult work. The camera will also help you check that the hired help are doing their job and assisting where necessary.
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