monitoring camera for sitters?

[2manyrocks]

I could use some help. I don't know a thing about internet cameras, but I would like to be able to monitor my mother's house with ongoing video and audio. She fell recently. I would like for it to be something I can log onto and check to be sure she's okay.

I'm open to any suggestions--even some kind of telephone monitoring system that I could call in and listen would be better than nothing.

She'll probably have sitters soon and part of this is to tell everybody up front that the sitting will be monitored.

DSL internet service is available at her house. Is that fast enough for this?

 

[/pine]

Look for an "IP" cam...you will probably want one with PTZ (Pan,Tilt,Zoom) most come with audio...

to do this without any third party services (other than the DSL Internet)...you will need a computer and a router...
....You will also need a dedicated IP address (usually a few dollars a month from the ISP)

Set up the camera and port forwarding for the camera's IP address on the router...

I would recommend running everything on a good quality battery backup to power the computer the modem and the router...the computer should also be set up to "boot on LAN"....

here is some rationale:

dedicated IP...this ensures you will always be able to tunnel into the router...most ISP use dynamic IP address which mean they change from time to time.

backup battery...prevents computer from shutting down in the even of a power failure...

boot on LAN... this allows a remote user to boot a computer that has been shut down from a remote location...

once the system is up and running you just use a browser and tunnel into the system via the dedicated IP address...


Another option is to use a third party streaming application....this would use the third party's software instead of what comes with the camera... and would not require a dedicated IP address...

 

[Gator6x4]

If the intent is to monitor for "Elder Abuse" I don't think I would share this information with anyone. I think you also need to define "Sitting". If all the person is employed too do is "Sit" that is all they are required to do. Now if your intention is for them to prepare meals, light or heavy house cleaning, laundry, etc this needs to be discussed prior to the person coming to work on the first day.

 

[2manyrocks]

Thanks /pine.

The goal is peace of mind somewhat like Ronald Regan's statement of "Trust, but verify."

Where should I look for a camera?

 

[Jimbrown]

Google webcams and security cameras take your pick

 

[/pine]

Where should I look for a camera?

you want one with a built in web server ...not sure if you want wireless or not...

some systems (software, comes with cameras) allows multiple cameras...

There are other sources...e-bay is one one...here is another (sorted by price) you usually get what you pay for...

Search Results for ip cameras at TigerDirect.com

 

[sodamo]

Haven't dealt with this Foscam company, but I do have 2 outside Foscam cameras I monitor via iphone (no sound). The cameras work well. Looks like they have a variety of possible solutions.

 

[dmccarty]

...

She'll probably have sitters soon and part of this is to tell everybody up front that the sitting will be monitored.
...

I agree with what you are trying to do 100% so do not take they questions/comments as a disagreement. Because I surely do not know the right answers. Just which questions to ask.

I would do some research on your state law about your state law to see if there would be any problems with recording people in your mother's house. It is not YOUR house. It is HER house. Is she agreeing to this or do you have power of attorney? Heck does power of attorney allow you to in effect bug her house?

There is a higher expectation of privacy in a house than outside. I would think the sitter would be considered an employee. What notification needs to get given to an employee to keep you out of trouble?

You would think you would be able to record on private property and I think for video you might be ok. But audio might be something else. I think some states are ok with audio recording as long as one person being recorded knows the recording is taking place. I think other states are different.

If you have a contract with the person doing the "sitting" they need to sign off that they are aware they are being recorded. I certainly would check the law in my state and if I had a question I would be ponying up to a lawyer to ask questions.

Later,
Dan

 

[2manyrocks]

Good points. I have Mother's POA and the sitter's contract will state there will be monitoring except in the bathroom.

Audio is important because if Mother wanders out of the video area, I want to be able to hear whatever I can. If something doesn't sound right, I can go check.

 

[retiredIW]

i use X10.com - Security Cameras, X10 Home Security, Wireless Camera, Home Automation, Electronics and More! stuff it is reasonable and kinda easy to use

 

[Jimbrown]

Well you have to decide what type of camera that you want to use /pay for.

There are professional cameras that mount on the wall ceiling with the little covers so that you can稚 tell where they are pointed (no one can mess with easily) and there are cheap home type that you just set on the table or top of the china cabinet. ( ohh did I knock that over? Ohh is that my coke in front of it, the cat did it)

Is it going to have wires or be wireless?

Some have built in data loggers that will transmit directly to a router with no computer needed. Commonly called IP camers.

Is it going to point one direction or be able to pan left and right? Do you want more than one room covered?

Who is going to set it up? You, some professional security service, local computer store, some kid down the street?

You will need: Intenet connection at least 586kb upload.
A router, and probably a computer unless you use IP cameras.

You can get cheap cameras like this http://www.logitech.com/en-us/38/6333 and free software like this http://www.yawcam.com/ that will run one camera.

If you want more then you will have to buy more cameras and buy software to run it.

Professional camers are going to run a lot more money. My guess a minimum of $3000.

Is it going to stream video continoualy 24/7? That will use a lot of bandwith.

Will it just take snap shots say every 10 minutes and email them to you?

Will it only stream when you log on to it. Best way.

Does your ISP give you a static IP that never changes. That痴 what you want. But many use a system whre you IP changes every time you log on. Makes it a lot harder as it is sorta like getting a new phone number every day.

My advice worth what you paid for it.

Check a local security service and ask price. Second price it from a local computer store (Not Best Buy or the like). Last have some one that you know that has a clue about this try and set it up.

Stay away from X10 stuff.

 

[aczlan]

Professional camers are going to run a lot more money. My guess a minimum of $3000.

The Axis 214 is a IP controlled Pan Tilt Zoom Camera which is based off of a Sony EVI-D70 camera and costs ~$1200 from B&H Photovideo. Other Axis cameras are cheaper and are also IP/web controlled.

Aaron Z

 

[2manyrocks]

Based on the cost of sitters and hardly any of them being willing to work nights, it now looks like she will be going to an assisted living facility. Not the answer she wants I fear, but maybe she'll warm up to it once she gets there.

Thank you all for taking the time to help me with this.

 

[sodamo]

any chance of a live in companion?

 

[Jimbrown]

I have gone thru this. Assisted living is by far the best way if you get a good place. They make em get up every day, eat threee times a day and most have a licensed nurse on duty 24 hours.

 

[2manyrocks]

We checked into having a particular person stay with her, but the report we got was the person won't even keep her room clean where she is currently staying.

Entry level rate here for sitters is $10/hr or roughly $7,200 a month versus $1900 a month for assisted living. You have to manage the sitters, withhold taxes, have risk of workers comp liability if they get hurt or claim to be hurt on the job, and have the risk of things disappearing from the house. If you find good sitters, then there's still the problem of juggling schedules.

Mother's bathroom is small and it's difficult for anyone to assist her with her bath at home.

I wish she could stay home, but it doesn't appear practical.

Moral of story--get in all the tractor time you can while you can.

 

[dmccarty]

...

I wish she could stay home, but it doesn't appear practical.

Moral of story--get in all the tractor time you can while you can.

Yeppers.

My grandmother went into an assisted living home last year. She has been by her self for a year or so and the last 5-10 years have been hard with her health and my grandfather. She surprised the family when she realized she could not live alone anymore. Frankly she should have been in a home quite awhile ago so it was great when she said she needed to go. She has been doing very well there and likes the place.

We have a relative that lives nearby and visits/talks to my grandmother daily if not more often so we can keep an eye on her. Some of these homes are good. Some are pretty bad. And they ain't cheap.

I hope to live to a very old age and when it is time I hope they find me dead on the tractor. :thumbsup: Hopefully I will be able to turn off the engine before the lights go out. Do not want to waste fuel. :laughing:

Later,
Dan