In recent years, there has been an increase of disturbing reports of nursing home abuse and neglect around the country, including New Jersey. Many victims were helpless and could not report the abuse due to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Other nursing home abuse victims were too afraid to say anything in fear of retaliation from the abuser, i.e., withholding food or physical abuse.
In a previous blog, we told you that NJ Assembly Bill 3883 (A3883) was introduced by the Speaker of New Jersey’s General Assembly in November of 2014. A3883 would have allowed a nursing home resident to install video surveillance equipment in their room, provided they gave advance notice to the nursing home. However, the bill was never passed. See New Jersey Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect; Legislature to Allow Video Cameras in Residents’ Rooms?
Though the bill was not passed, a program introduced in December 2016 by the Attorney General of New Jersey, offered the same protection as A3883, but only in private homes. The “Safe Care Cam Program” allows installation of cameras in private homes to protect victims from abusive health care aides or caretakers in their homes.
The “Safe Care Cam” Program
The “Safe Care Cam Program” ensures that New Jersey residents have access to micro-surveillance cameras if they suspect that their loved ones are being abused or neglected by care providers in their homes. The cameras are small that they can easily be hidden to detect any abuse.
Attorney General Porrino said, “Anyone who suspects a loved one is being abused by an in-home caregiver should not be left to feel helpless or without recourse. Cameras don’t lie, and the abuses they’ve revealed are shocking.”
Attorney General Porrino also realizes that the cost for a micro-surveillance camera is expensive and many people will not be able to afford them. “The “Safe Care Cam” program provides free cameras to anyone who suspects that their loved one is being abused or neglected by an in-home nurse or care provider. New Jersey residents may have the camera for 30 days to provide proof that their loved ones are being abused, or provide peace of mind.
For information about the Safe Care Cam program, call 973-504-6375.
New Jersey Nursing Home Injury-Accident Lawyers
If you suspect that your loved one is being abused or suffering neglect in a nursing home in the New Jersey area, please call our office for a free consultation. Our nursing home injury lawyers specialize in these kinds of cases. (215) 985-0777