RAPID CITY, S.D. – A proposed House bill that would allow for electronic monitoring in nursing homes and other assisted living facilities has been introduced in the South Dakota legislature.
House Bill 1056 reads “a resident or the resident’s authorized representative may install or provide for the installation of an electronic monitoring device in the resident’s room.”
The “electronic monitoring device” used would be a closed loop, video surveillance system that could be placed in a person’s room.
Some people who work with the elderly can see the benefits of another available tool that helps keep residents safe and offers more peace of mind to family members, while others point to privacy concerns.
Details such as when the equipment should be turned off as well as what staff in the facility are authorized to turn the monitoring system off and on are among the details that need more discussion.
But ultimately, Dr. Pat Jones, Managing Director of Adult Day Center of the Black Hills says that monitoring and safety are the priority.
