Using a Nanny Cam to Keep your Elderly Parents Safe
As time slowly but inexorably moves on, the uncomfortable but present fact that mom & dad aren’t young anymore will start to become ever more apparent. They were there when you took your first steps or needed to be nursed back to health as a toddler. Even if you live half the country away and can’t take care of them directly, a nanny cam for elderly parents is a great way of paying them back in a sense, no matter the distance.
Nanny Cams don’t only keep your kids safe, you’ll need them for elderly parents too!
Don’t let its name mislead you into thinking that the nanny cam is meant only for children. There are a lot of innovative uses for one, and one of the noblest is making sure that your parents are comfortable, and safe. No one’s disputing their ability to take care of themselves – it’s just an added precaution that can end up being crucial in helping them out.
Installing the Nanny Cam
First and foremost, you should explain the benefits of having a camera in the house to your parents. Never install one without their consent if they’re of sound mind – this is an important decision which should be made jointly. Your parents shouldn’t feel pressured into having one installed or be dissatisfied with the decision to do so. List of all the positive things a nanny cam can do for them, like added security and the ability to spot an emergency and send help much faster.
When you’ve agreed that the camera would bring many benefits, it’s time to pick out a suitable one, but more on that later. When it arrives, set the camera up inside the room they use most frequently, like their bedroom or the parlor. Test the camera out to make sure that it offers a favorable viewing angle and that the picture quality is satisfactory. Set up the Wi-Fi, download any pertinent apps to your phone and check that everything is synchronized and working as intended. If you feel that one angle isn’t enough, buying a 2nd camera can do a lot to ease your worries.
What Kind of Nanny Cam Should You Buy?
What camera works best for mom and pop depends on their living situation. If they’re still at home, an overt camera with state-of-the-art features is preferred. If they’re in an assisted care facility and you suspect that they aren’t being treated with the courtesy and consideration that is their due, a spy cam cleverly hidden in what looks like a picture frame or one of mom’s favorite books might be a better option.
If your parents aren’t that tech-savvy, it’s best to get a camera that requires little to no input on their end. You plug such a camera into an outlet, set it up and let it record. You can also show them how to operate it by themselves, if they’re so inclined.
There’s less need for dedicated storage on the camera when it is out in the open, especially if you’re keeping track of it via Wi-Fi and it has two-way communication enabled so you can chat with them directly. Concealed cameras benefit more from internal storage, as you don’t know when potential abuse by their caretakers might take place. In this case, it’s a good idea to set the camera to record only when its motion sensor picks something up to use its space more productively.
The lens in the camera should be able to rotate to a degree and have a zoom function. This gives you a better overview of the room and lets you focus on your parents to check and see if they’re breathing, for example. Night vision mode is also highly advisable. Some high-end nanny cams even have temperature sensors installed which can help you determine if your parents ought to turn the heating up or run the air conditioner.
Conclusion
A nanny cam for elderly parents is not only a surveillance tool worth getting, but it can also be a way of bringing you closer together. By taking an active interest in your parents’ lives and offering help at times when they need it the most, you’re demonstrating both responsibility and love. Do your research, choose a model that’s suited for your parents’ needs and living situation, and let all three of you sleep a little easier from now on.