Case Study: Schiamberg And Colleagues

and reported an occurrence of abuse towards a resident (Schiamberg & Colleagues, 2012). This study randomly selected participants for a phone survey from a list of individuals who had a loved one living in a nursing home (Schiamberg & Colleagues, 2012).). The participant sample included 452 older adults who were living in a nursing home (Schiamberg & Colleagues, 2012).). Family members reported that 110 of the older adult participants had experienced some form of physical abuse, which was almost twenty-five percent of the sample (Schiamberg & Colleagues, 2012).) Sexual and physical abuse are just two types of abuse that older adults in nursing homes could potentially experience. It is important that older adults feel safe and have the resources

to keep themselves safe.
When an individual moves into a nursing home, they receive a packet labeled, "Resident Rights." The Resident Rights are pretty standard across nursing homes, set by the federal government (NCCNHR Administration, 1999).

All employees, residents, and visitors must understand and abide by the Residents' Rights and report any instances of those rights being violated. These rights really stress the dignity of the residents and stress self-determination, meaning that the resident has the right to decide what happens to them (NCCNHR Administration, 1999). Some areas that are covered and discussed within the rights are quality of life, services, activities, being informed, self-determination, making independent choices, confidentiality, respect, dignity, security of possessions, discharges, complaints, and having visitors (NCCNHR Administration, 1999). Residents have the right to be informed on the services that can be provided to them, charges being made to their accounts or insurances, their rights, facility information, etc. (NCCNHR Administration, 1999). Residents have the right to make their own, independent choices about their medical care and other personal things (NCCNHR Administration, 1999). Residents have the right to medical privacy, personal privacy, respect, and dignity (NCCNHR Administration, 1999). The Ombudsman program acts as advocates for older adults living in nursing homes, making sure that their rights are not being violated and that they are happy with the care that they are

receiving.
The two main arguments with allowing cameras in the private rooms of residents living in nursing homes are security and resident rights. Having cameras can expose instances of abuse, or neglect, and it can act as another security network for a nursing home resident. The prevalence of abuse, especially sexual and physical abuse, is a concern for the safety and well-being of older adults living in nursing homes. Hidden cameras can catch abuse because the perpetrator is not aware that they are being recorded and, even if they are aware of the camera, it can make individuals cautious about their actions towards a resident. Having cameras might also qualify as a right of a nursing home resident. In our homes, and on our property, we are allowed to have surveillance cameras for security. Some argue that it is no different within the private room of a nursing home resident. That room acts as their private home on campus and it is within their rights to have cameras if they want to.
Against Cameras
HIPAA, or The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is a set of standards and regulations that protect that medical and personal privacy of individuals (Heath and Human Services Administration, 2002). Under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, individuals have the right to control what is, and is not, medically done to them (Heath and Human Services Administration, 2002). It protects their identity and sets boundaries with regards to their medical information (Heath and Human Services Administration, 2002). The HIPAA Privacy Rule is very important for the safety, security, and privacy of all individuals. The HIPAA Privacy Rule allows individuals to have full control over their medical and personal information,