Questions and fears about quality of care in nursing homes may be assuaged come January. A new law signed by the governor Friday will permit electronic monitoring.
Some 76,000 Illinois residents live in nursing homes; a figure that's expected to rise as Baby Boomers age.
With occasional reports of abuse and neglect, Attorney General Lisa Madigan says families had come to her, concerned about relatives living in long-term care facilities. She says allowing video cameras will give them peace of mind.
"To allow people who want to -- they get to make the decision -- put a camera, put a device in so they can, maybe not do video, maybe just do audio ... make sure that their loved ones are being taken care of, make sure that people are not being abused when they're in a nursing home,"Madigan said.
Both a resident and any roommate would have to give consent for a camera to be installed, and a sign must be posted by the doorway reading "this room is electronically monitored." It'd be a crime to knowingly tamper with a camera.
The law takes effect in January.
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