Posted by Debra Medders (152.163.197.181) on February 18, 2001 at 14:25:56:
In Reply to: Big Brother in Nursing Homes posted by John Everette on February 15, 2001 at 23:10:34:
John, I am not from Maryland, but I don't feel cameras should be allowed. First of all, I don't mind anyone watching me do resident care. I do things to the best of my ability and do not mind anyone seeing me work, however, I do not want the added stress of having a camera in the room. I takes away the idea that family members trust CNA's. When I began to feel I have lost their trust then it is time for me to get out. Next, with cameras things can be made to look any way someone wants it to look by doing a little editing. Lastly, I feel if people would spend as much time visiting nursing homes and trying to find out what they can do to help us out instead of looking for things that aren't getting done or we aren't doing right as they do making us look like criminals our elderly would be getting a lot better care. My gratitude in doing this dirty work is when I come home at the end of my shift I know I have helped somebody, I have made somebody's life just a little bit better. I have been a good and faithful servant. Even when I have been cursed, bitten, spit on or whatever I still have made someone's life just a little bit better. One day the people wanting to put cameras in nursing homes may have to be the ones doing the work in them. Thanks Debra:
I recently caught something on the television about a bill in Maryland that would allow families of a nursing home resident electing to have survelience cameras in their family member's room to record how they are treated.
: I would like to hear from CNAs in Maryland how this bill is being received by them.
: A number of states are supposedly waiting to see how this bill does before they go ahead with similar legislation in their states.
: This news item reminded me of a resolution that was presented at a NCCNHR meeting in 1999 but was set aside for further study.
: The sponsor of the bill said that it is a "win-win" situation for the families and nursing homes, but failed to say very much about those it would affect-CNAs and other medical staff.
: She did say something about good workers should not mind since they would have nothing to hide.
: Personally I feel we are under enough stress, and do not need someone looking over our shoulder all the time.
: There are, or should be, better ways for CNAs and nursing homes to police themselves and each other than this.
: She also said something a little unsettling. She said something about this legislation eventually coming into being since this "Big Brother" technology already exists.
: John
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