Security cameras in the home of a person with dementia
A practical guide for families, based on many years of professional knowledge and experience shared with us by Raanan, a member of the EMDA Facebook group. Raanan has not worked in the security camera field in recent years and is not affiliated with installers or equipment suppliers. We thank him for the practical and generous explanation.
Cameras in the home can help a family remotely monitor a person with dementia, check that care is being provided appropriately, understand how an unusual event occurred, and feel a little more secure. However, a camera is not a magic solution: it does not replace personal contact, visits, a conversation with the caregiver, and regular checking of the person's condition.
What can security cameras give a family?
A camera system can allow:
- View in real time from your phone or computer.
- Checking that the person has eaten, drunk, taken medication, or received assistance.
- Detecting a fall, unexpected exit from the house, or a dangerous situation.
- Retrospective examination of an unclear event.
- Documentation in the event that concerns arise about neglect or inappropriate behavior.
- A sense of security for family members who are not at home most of the day.
Just knowing that cameras exist may encourage greater caution on the part of those in the house.
However, the cameras should serve as an auxiliary tool and not create the feeling that all treatment is conducted remotely.
How does a home security camera system work?
In a fixed system, several cameras are usually installed that are connected to a central recording device.
Recording devices are common in configurations suitable for 4, 8, or 16 cameras.
The footage is saved on the recording device's hard drive.
The duration of storage depends on several factors:
- Number of cameras.
- Recording resolution.
- Storage capacity.
- Continuous recording or recording only when motion is detected.
- Frame rate (frames per second).
When the drive becomes full, the system typically erases the oldest material and rewrites it.
So, when an important event occurs, back it up immediately to your computer, external drive, or other storage device. Don't assume the footage will remain on the system indefinitely.
Do I need a fixed IP address?
Not necessarily. Many new systems allow remote viewing via an app and online service from the manufacturer, without having to order a permanent IP address.
Other systems may require a fixed address or additional communication settings.
Before buying, ask the installer to explain in writing:
- How do you connect remotely?
- Does the service involve a monthly fee?
- What happens if you change your internet provider or router?
- Does the footage pass through a cloud service?
- Who can view it?
Which cameras are suitable for the home?
Indoors : Dome cameras fit well into the ceiling and are harder to accidentally move. They are suitable for the living room, kitchen, hallway, and entryway.
Outside the home: It is a good idea to choose a camera designed for outdoor conditions, with an appropriate rating for rain and dust resistance and the ability to shoot in the dark. Bullet cameras are common in yards, on balconies, and at entrances.
Resolution : For a general impression of a room, a resolution of about 4 megapixels may be sufficient in many cases. For more accurate recognition of faces, license plates or a large outdoor area, a higher resolution may be required, but the lens, shooting angle and lighting are also very important. There is no point in paying for a large number of megapixels if the camera is placed in the wrong place.
Where should cameras be placed?
It is recommended to focus on places where there is a clear safety need:
- Entering and leaving the house.
- Living room and central living areas.
- Kitchen, if there is a risk when using gas or appliances.
- A corridor on the way to the bathroom.
- Balcony, garden or parking.
- An area where falls or unusual events occurred.
It is important to avoid “dead spaces,” but also not to turn every corner of the house into a filming area.
Respect, privacy and consent
A decision by prior agreement – to place cameras
- The home is a private space for both the person with dementia and the caregiver.
- Therefore, before installation, you should ask not only “what can be photographed,” but also “what really needs to be photographed.”
- To the extent that the person with dementia is able to understand the meaning of the photograph, it should be explained to him and he should be involved in the decision.
- Studies on technological monitoring in dementia care emphasize the need to consider from the outset consent, autonomy, privacy, and dignity
- rather than only after the system has been installed.
Security cameras and privacy protection
- By law, when employing an Israeli or foreign caregiver, you must inform them about the cameras in the home.
- It is also recommended to clearly inform other regular caregivers, nursing staff, and family members about the existence and location of the cameras.
- Cameras should not be placed in the bathroom, shower, or private room used by the caregiver for living and sleeping.
- Covert photography or voice recording raises more complex legal questions; it is important to obtain individual legal advice before such use.
Supplementary information
- Placing security and surveillance cameras in the workplace (on the Kol Zchut website)
- Use of surveillance cameras in the workplace and within employment relationships (Privacy Protection Authority)
Securing cameras is just as important as installing them.
A camera connected to the Internet can itself become a privacy risk.
Security studies have found serious weaknesses in some of the cheap and unknown cameras, to the point of being able to take control of them remotely.
Therefore it is important:
- Buy equipment from a reputable source and get a warranty.
- Change the initial password immediately.
- Choose a long and unique password.
- Turn on two-step verification, if available.
- Update the camera and recording device software.
- Do not give your login details to any family member.
- Revoke access for those who no longer need to watch.
- Do not post pictures of the camera's sticker, serial number, or connection code online.
- Check who installs the application and who is defined as the system administrator.
How much does it cost?
There is no uniform price. The cost depends on the number of cameras, their quality, drive size, cable length, home infrastructure, outdoor work, and the possibility of remote viewing.
Request at least two detailed quotes that include separately:
| component | What is important to check? |
|---|---|
| Recording device | How many cameras is it suitable for and what is the storage capacity? |
| Cameras | Resolution, night vision and indoor/outdoor compatibility |
| Cabling and infrastructure | Does the price include piping, drilling and exterior work? |
| Remote connection | App, monthly cost, and installation support |
| Warranty | For how long and for which components |
| Service | Who handles the problem and who assists in restoring the recording? |
| Training | How to view footage, search for an event, and back up a recording |
Don't choose just based on the lowest price.
A system that appears to be working properly during live viewing may disappoint when you need to locate and save an old event.
Before the installer leaves – perform an inspection
Ask to see for yourself:
- All cameras on one screen.
- Photography in the day and in the dark.
- Search for a recording from a previous hour.
- Downloading and saving a clip.
- Viewing from your phone outside your home network.
- Change password and define users.
- The last date until which recordings are saved.
- A document with warranty and support details.
In conclusion
Cameras can be an effective tool for monitoring a person with dementia, clarifying incidents, and reassuring family members. The decision should combine safety with respect, privacy, and information security. Choose a simple system that you know how to operate, a reliable installer who provides a warranty, and a location that serves a real need – not surveillance for surveillance’s sake.
And always remember: the camera can show what happened at home, but it cannot replace a visit, listening, conversation, and human contact.
Dementia in the family? Contact EMDA!
If you are caring for a family member with cognitive decline or dementia: Don't be alone. Professional guidance and support can make a big difference – for both you and them. At EMDA, you can receive information and guidance for caregiving families, free support groups across the country,an activity kit, training, and more. You can consult with us for free on the helpline at *8889.