Elder Care Support Tool: Tender TidingsA Testimonial
Adolph Johnson, Jr. Ph.D.
The use of real time video was a powerful resource in support of my efforts to care for my mother, a bedridden Alzheimer’s patient who resided in a Texas nursing home. My goals were to improve care, optimize treatment and increase my participation in the care plan for my mother. Elder care services that meet the needs of physical comfort as well as cognitive stimulation are essential but often leave something to be desired if you, as a close relative, cannot participate in those activities or cannot ensure those functions are fulfilled.
After careful consideration of the special laws in the state of Texas that allow third party video/viewing of individual residents in nursing home environments, I chose a real time video service, Tender Tidings. I discussed the set up with the director of the nursing home and received complete support. The state of Texas requires that type of discussion and permission to proceed with a video. The Texas law requires you to post a sign in the resident’s room that notifies all who enter that a camera is present and real time video is underway. My mother had a private room, but in the case where your loved one has a roommate, that roommate or the roommate’s designate must approve the presence of a camera. I purchased the camera and a basic pc for set up (pc remained off site after set up). I made arrangements for transmission utilizing a local cable company, and paid a monthly service fee.
I was present for the camera installation in my mother’s room in Texas, while my wife set up the home computer for viewing in California. Tender Tidings provided the technical support. The positioning of the camera was critical. The camera was placed so that on my home computer, I could see my mother clearly and view all sides of her room as well as the entrance to the room. The camera was strategically placed to prevent any obstruction to care yet be accessible to the private caregivers should the angle need adjusting.
Initial concerns were raised by some of the nursing home staff, citing privacy issues for the resident and undue pressure for staff who would experience an additional “watchful eye.” The privacy issues were easily addressed and resolved: As a family, we would obviously respect my mother’s privacy. Viewing is protected by an access code as well as two passwords, preventing public viewing at any time. We handled the staff concern of the “watchful eye” through our inclusion of the staff as part of our care giving team. We were certain there would be a period of awkwardness or staring into the camera, but none of that occurred and a sense of normalcy was almost immediate.
The Tender Tidings set up allowed me to increase the portfolio of services for my mother while she resided in a skilled nursing facility. Allow me to outline the benefits of real time video monitoring of family members who reside in nursing homes:
In-Person and Long Distance Care. When I placed my mother in a skilled nursing facility, I wanted to make certain she received the best of care. To honor her, I hired private care givers and made regular visits to keep our relationship strong and her care optimized. I did not want to place her in a nursing home, leave her in “capable hands” and consider myself as having done the right thing for someone who has already led a “full life.” That isn’t providing care for my mother. That’s “warehousing.” I wanted to make sure I gave my mother the best care I could afford with the hiring of private care givers, and through fortuitous networking, I was able to add real time video monitoring.
Previously, it was not possible for me to monitor my mother’s care without the regular communication with my full-time care givers who provided 24/7 care. The monitoring of my mother, her condition and care allowed me to view my mother at all times and converse intelligently with my private care givers as well as nursing home staff, helping everyone do a better job and helping me understand and contribute to treatment plans. I gained insight into my mother’s temperament and her responses to various in-room activities and individuals. When I visited in person, I had increased knowledge of my mother’s activity preferences, daily habits, likes and dislikes, making my time with her much more fulfilling for both of us.
Convenience. Even if I lived in the same city as my mother, I would not be able to see her every day. The Tender Tidings system allowed me 24/7 visualization and the ability to observe at critical time such as meal time, administering of medications, transfer/transport, visits and occasions when my mother was unattended.
Accountability. Residents are the central focus in skilled nursing facilities. These residents cannot care for themselves and it becomes increasingly important to monitor the quality of care and assure it continues to be the best and most appropriate care for the patient as their physical and mental conditions change. Regular care planning meetings are focused on this type of appropriate care. Observing the actual performance by nursing home staff as well as my private care givers, allowed me to be objective in my assessment of care, complementary in what I might consider outstanding service to my mother as well as probative when observing questionable activity. There were also basics such as turning my mother every two hours or removing her headphones before leaving her alone.
User-Friendly Technology. I did not need to have a computer in my mother’s room. The camera was set to offer a consistent video stream.
Clarity of Image: I could see my mother clearly. There were no occasions of blurred images or shadows. I could even read wall signs and see her CD/DVD collections. It was almost like being with her.
Ease of use: There was nothing to manipulate. From my home computer, I would simply go to the Tender Tidings site and log on. The image filled the screen.
Flexibility: I did not have to call when I wanted to view my mother. The two hour time difference worked in my favor, allowing me do view when my mother was sleeping and monitor the care she received throughout the night as well as her sleeping habits.
It was so important to me to discover every avenue of care and comfort for my mother as she aged and as the Alzheimer’s disease progressed. The nominal cost of equipment and the monthly fee that was less than internet service, paled in comparison to the peace of mind and the active participation in my mother’s protection and well-being. Some may think having 24/7 private care givers is quite enough, and yes, quite expensive. But seeing my mother and those that interacted with her was very important to me. I was not a distant supporter of my mother. The real time video monitoring allowed me to be more than someone who paid the charges for care. I had the opportunity to see her at anytime and thus be a contributor to treatment as well as be a part of her daily life.
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