Cameras in Nursing Homes: 2025 Legal Guide for Families

Hidden cameras have revealed disturbing cases of nursing home abuse in recent years. In response, over 20 states now give families the legal right to install cameras in nursing home rooms.

“People want eyes on their loved ones.”

– Lori Smetanka, Executive Director, National Consumer Voice

In one heartbreaking case caught on camera, a 78-year-old resident was verbally and physically abused by staff members at an Ohio nursing home. Her son had installed the hidden camera in her room, and the footage led to criminal convictions.

That video later inspired Esther’s Law, which now protects the right of families in Ohio to install cameras in their loved one’s nursing home room.

Cameras in nursing homes can be a powerful way to:

1. Monitor a loved one’s care
2. Catch neglect and abuse
3. Hold facilities accountable

Laws vary by state, and installing a camera often requires specific steps to respect privacy rights. Find out where cameras are allowed and how video evidence can be used to protect your loved one.

Can You Put a Camera in a Nursing Home Room?

Whether you can legally install a camera in a nursing home room depends on the laws in your state. Some states give residents and their families the right to use cameras with proper consent. In others, it may be up to the facility’s policy.

Most nursing homes already use security cameras in common areas, parking lots, and entrances. Cameras in private rooms, however, raise more complex privacy concerns.

Some facilities allow in-room cameras with consent from the resident and any roommates. Others may restrict them entirely, especially in shared rooms, citing privacy concerns for staff and other residents.

Which States Allow Cameras in Nursing Homes?

As of 2025, more than 20 states have laws or programs that allow families to install cameras in nursing home rooms under certain conditions.

Many other states are considering legislation to expand in-room monitoring rights. In most states that allow cameras, families must sign consent forms and may need approval from roommates or facility staff.

Some states have launched special programs to support families. For example, New Jersey lends hidden cameras to families for 30 days if they suspect abuse. Wisconsin offers a similar program.

Even in states with guidelines, regulations can vary by facility. In Maryland, for example, nursing homes are allowed to deny requests for in-room cameras based on internal policy.

Are Cameras Allowed in Assisted Living Facilities?

Surveillance camera laws often apply to nursing homes, but not always to assisted living. That’s because assisted living facilities typically serve residents who need help with daily tasks, not round-the-clock medical care. As a result, they’re licensed differently in many states.

In most cases, cameras in assisted living rooms are allowed only with the resident’s consent and, if the room is shared, the roommate’s consent as well. Some facilities may also have their own policies restricting or allowing surveillance.

Consider using cameras in assisted living if you notice signs of danger, including:

• Behavioral changes or fearfulness
• Dehydration or unintended weight loss
• Poor hygiene or neglected care
• Repeated hospital visits or preventable falls
• Unexplained injuries or bruises
• Untreated bedsores or skin breakdown

Since laws vary and there is no nationwide standard, it’s best to contact your local long-term care ombudsman to understand what’s allowed in your state and get help navigating the facility’s policies.

Should I Use Cameras in Nursing Homes?

Before deciding to use a nursing home camera, you should weigh the pros and cons.

Pros of Cameras in Nursing Homes

Installing a camera can help you keep a close eye on your loved one’s care, especially if you live far away or can’t visit often. Cameras can catch abusers in the act and give you the proof you may need to report nursing home abuse.

Here are real examples of cameras in nursing homes that exposed abuse:

• Florida: A hidden camera showed two staff members physically abusing and taunting a 76-year-old man with Alzheimer’s. Both were arrested on felony charges.
• Michigan: A camera captured a caregiver striking a 93-year-old woman with a soiled diaper and trying to choke her. She was charged with multiple felonies.
• Oklahoma: Two staff members were filmed forcing a latex glove into the mouth of a 98-year-old resident. Both faced charges, and the case helped change state law.
• Washington: A secret camera caught a staff member sexually assaulting a resident with disabilities. The worker was charged with second-degree rape.

Cons of Cameras in Nursing Homes

Some nursing homes resist the idea of using cameras in residents’ rooms due to privacy concerns.

Nursing home cameras may invade the privacy of:

• Residents: Some residents may not want a camera to monitor their activities at all times. For example, it could record residents as they change, bathe, or use a bedpan.
• Roommates: Not all nursing home facilities have individual rooms for each resident. Nursing home cameras could film roommates without their consent.
• Staff members: Understaffing already strains nursing homes. Cameras may increase pressure on overwhelmed staff, leading to tension between families and caregivers.

Installing a camera without permission could lead to your loved one’s removal from the facility or even legal consequences, depending on your state.

The Future of Nursing Home Cameras to Stop Abuse

As more states consider laws around nursing home cameras, leaders must balance resident safety with the right to privacy.

If you’re thinking about using a camera, consider speaking with:

• Your loved ones: Share your concerns and explain how a camera could help protect their safety.
• Roommates: Consent is often required. Reassure them that a camera could protect everyone in the room.
• Local legal advocates: A nursing home abuse lawyer can explain your rights and whether hidden cameras are allowed.
• Nursing home staff: Some nursing homes approve cameras when asked. Be honest about why you’re concerned.

If you believe your loved one is being abused, don’t wait. The Nursing Home Abuse Center can help you take legal action. Call us at (855) 264-6310 right now or get a free case review.