[Technology] Indoor cameras and smart doorbells etc

[Bozza]

Having spoken about my mum's situation before on here, I'll briefly explain this request for context...

My aunt, who lived with my mum who has dementia and Alzheimer's, died suddenly and unexpectedly last night.

This leaves us with a big quandary as to my mum's care, as the 24/7 presence she had is now sadly no longer there, and it's not something I am able to do beyond the short-term.

However, my mum does have four carer visits a day, and I am able to go by pretty much every day for a few hours. Having spoken to both mum's dementia team and social services today, our immediate gut-feel is to see if mum can manage semi-independent living with the carer and my visits.

However, I would like to supplement this and try to use technology to give me a way to be able to monitor and/or communicate with mum remotely.

I was thinking of the kind of small security cameras that proliferate today as well as, maybe, using something like a Ring doorbell(s) *inside* the home in the hope I could "train" my mum, or leave enough reminders, that if she wanted to talk to me she just needs to press the button on what would ordinarily be an external doorbell.

However, I have no experience of these devices at all, so looking for advice from those who have used these in any capacity, but particularly if anyone has tried using them for the same thing.

As ever - thanks and that for all help sent my way.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Sorry to hear about this news…..

i used a ring camera to keep an eye on my Dad for the last eight months …was basically confined to one room …..with carer visits four times a day…I didn’t use it to communicate with him as he got confused over a voice coming from a small camera…….i also found myself keeping an “eye on him” quite a lot and in the end stopped…..you might want to look at this as well (but in the end do what you think is the best thing for your Mum)

Can I install CCTV at home to keep an eye on my loved one living with dementia?

CCTV can be an effective form of assistive technology. However, there are ethical and legal issues around using security cameras to keep an eye on someone with dementia that must be taken into account.

www.alzheimers.org.uk

ps the ring camera …..easy to use and good quality video

 

[Zeberdi]

Having spoken about my mum's situation before on here, I'll briefly explain this request for context...

My aunt, who lived with my mum who has dementia and Alzheimer's, died suddenly and unexpectedly last night.

This leaves us with a big quandary as to my mum's care, as the 24/7 presence she had is now sadly no longer there, and it's not something I am able to do beyond the short-term.

However, my mum does have four carer visits a day, and I am able to go by pretty much every day for a few hours. Having spoken to both mum's dementia team and social services today, our immediate gut-feel is to see if mum can manage semi-independent living with the carer and my visits.

However, I would like to supplement this and try to use technology to give me a way to be able to monitor and/or communicate with mum remotely.

I was thinking of the kind of small security cameras that proliferate today as well as, maybe, using something like a Ring doorbell(s) *inside* the home in the hope I could "train" my mum, or leave enough reminders, that if she wanted to talk to me she just needs to press the button on what would ordinarily be an external doorbell.

However, I have no experience of these devices at all, so looking for advice from those who have used these in any capacity, but particularly if anyone has tried using them for the same thing.

As ever - thanks and that for all help sent my way.

I would recommend Alexa ‘drop in’ on an echo show -

it will basically give you a video intercom to her house - you’ll need to install an Alexa Show device in her house (living room?) the download the app onto your phone then enable you to ‘ drop in’. You’ll need to set them up with an Amazon account and you can set everything up then talk to her on your phone. She doesn’t need a smart phone or tablet.

 

[tedebear]

Sorry about your Aunt One of my allotment neighbours needed to do this with a parent who lived down the road but was alone and suffering the same awful disease. They had a period of time without a carer so she needed to leg it there if she needed to. She mentioned she used a nanny cam (weirdly named!) for peace of mind as she was also wondering if he was actually eating anything too....I don't know exactly the one they had but I suspect on Amazon searching for Nanny cam might turn up something like this which looks useful:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/nooie-Monitor-monitor-Detection-Temperature/dp/B0D421RBHJ/ref=sr_1_13_sspa?adgrpid=55996770667&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.r2DF_O3cTMJEGBanyflh371IWlxTZhW9uNrmIgpjp-vgPbu0-BDacA3AK10tcYFq3x3OD3WbzWQgYMn98o3juhTrLc3RuXSe1eCpFIHDA7NmN_HSrRM6UYnNlxcWxMMKcJwDLL9SomayTuJgCCdW33W4QrOdPwWMmfhJpUm7xmehlzszBLZVwK87LmggGodjytJfnWghSKNRX_epeX-DP0EFRHu6uEsPXAM71gHE1pU.j7CxbV5uBCgKeepQyqxZ-TfA96rUvmuc7GPjxvNgKRE&dib_tag=se&hvadid=259067712613&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9189888&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=17984931059260291010&hvtargid=kwd-11166741&hydadcr=28147_1724764&keywords=nanny+camera&qid=1735584347&sr=8-13-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&psc=1

 

[happypig]

Sorry for your loss.
Has your mum got a Lifeline ? They are pretty sophisticated these days and have peripherals like fall-detectors, smoke/CO detectors, gas shut-off valves, bed sensors, medicine dispensers, GPS trackers etc.
Mrs H used to install them but left in 2019 so they've probably got even more these days.
First call would be Social Services.

 

[Half Time Pies]

Having spoken about my mum's situation before on here, I'll briefly explain this request for context...

My aunt, who lived with my mum who has dementia and Alzheimer's, died suddenly and unexpectedly last night.

This leaves us with a big quandary as to my mum's care, as the 24/7 presence she had is now sadly no longer there, and it's not something I am able to do beyond the short-term.

However, my mum does have four carer visits a day, and I am able to go by pretty much every day for a few hours. Having spoken to both mum's dementia team and social services today, our immediate gut-feel is to see if mum can manage semi-independent living with the carer and my visits.

However, I would like to supplement this and try to use technology to give me a way to be able to monitor and/or communicate with mum remotely.

I was thinking of the kind of small security cameras that proliferate today as well as, maybe, using something like a Ring doorbell(s) *inside* the home in the hope I could "train" my mum, or leave enough reminders, that if she wanted to talk to me she just needs to press the button on what would ordinarily be an external doorbell.

However, I have no experience of these devices at all, so looking for advice from those who have used these in any capacity, but particularly if anyone has tried using them for the same thing.

As ever - thanks and that for all help sent my way.

The problem with camera's is you have to regularly monitor them. Not sure if this would be relevant for your Mums specific situation but an alternative would be to install a smart sensor system in the house which is linked to some AI software that monitors activity and then alerts if something unexpected happens. You can get these solutions as stand alone or via a monitoring service who will coordinate a response to any emergency alerts.

You could install this in conjunction with the cameras so as you could take a look if an emergency alert happened.

These systems can be useful as well to monitor subtle changes in someones behaviour (for example not boiling the kettle regularly or opening the fridge) which might indicate a health issue.

There are many companies that provide this type of solution, but this is one monitoring provider that have come across in a professional capacity in the past (I work in Health and Social Care):

Smart Monitoring System

A stand alone (self monitored) solution:

Canary Smart Monitoring

 

[Brighthelmstone]

We went for the 'blink' stuff when we had similar with my dad then used it at home for the dog! can get various cameras and the doorbell etc. by example we have the bell with the camera on the front, and external camera on the side of the house with a motion detector and then two internal cameras and the 'hub' The internal cameras also have mics on them as well. i think both Blink and Ring are amazon owned now as well. we linked our Blink system to Alexa as well.

 

[BrightonCottager]

Really sorry to hear this @Bozza . You may remember that I went through something similar with my mum just under a year ago. I went down to Currys and bought 4 of these: https://www.currys.co.uk/products/tplink-tapo-c200-full-hd-1080p-wifi-security-camera-10224444.html

I didn't have to sign up to Amazon / Ring and the fee is £4.99 / camera / month. They are adjustable so you can remotely swivel them around and also activated by movement. I actually saw my mum slowly slide off the front of an armchair and was able to ring a neighbour to help.

They work pretty well on basic WiFi. Be warned though, it's easy to get a bit obsessed and watch your mum. I also had to tape down the switches and cover the lights up as she had got into the habit of switching everything off.

As others have said, try to get your mum to wear an alarm bracelet that can detect falls. I can't remember what Council she's with, but dementia services and Age UK should be able to advise. The Alzheimers Society messageboard is excellent - although not as entertaining as NSC. And please look after yourself.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

I’m sorry for your loss especially when it makes looking after your Mum so much more difficult.

We have a Ring doorbell along with an Echo Show that we bought on a Black Friday offer.

 

[The Grockle]

What about an echo show?


You could video call her on it, set up a photo gallery with family snaps and it has a discreet camera you could check up on her with.

You can also link it to a ring doorbell so she can see/talk to people before answering the door.

We use ours as a family planner, interface for smart devices/cameras and to stream video and music with the sound going through the sonos system. It's a nice bit of kit and just looks like a photo frame.

 

[The Grockle]

What about an echo show?


You could video call her on it, set up a photo gallery with family snaps and it has a discreet camera you could check up on her with.

You can also link it to a ring doorbell so she can see/talk to people before answering the door.

We use ours as a family planner, interface for smart devices/cameras and to stream video and music with the sound going through the sonos system. It's a nice bit of kit and just looks like a photo frame.

And very sorry to hear about your aunt

 

[The Grockle]

With the echo show you can also update photos via the app and send reminders like take your medication ect.

My girlfriend sends photos to her Nan's echo show when we're out doing stuff, helps her feel conected. We also dropped in to her via video on Christmas day. For someone who would never have a smart phone it's a god send

 

[sjamesb3466]

Sorry to hear about a tough situation Bozza. I hope you get the best possible solution in place for your family moving forwards.

Re the tech side, I have a Eufy doorbell and external CCTV and have set up my parents house with the same to which I have viewing rights to keep an eye while they are away on holiday etc. I know they do internal cameras too so may be of interest to you. Big plus point is they are cheaper than Ring and no monthly subscription. All video footage stored on the hub with the added advantage of local storage on the cameras in the event of an internet outage which is then transferred to the hub when internet restored so not reliant on cloud or reliable internet. Just my two pence.

Good luck with it all, these are terrible diseases but I hope you and your mum have as smooth a ride as you can

 

[chickens]

Sorry to hear about your aunt, and while I have nothing practical to add to this discussion, I’d like to say please look out for yourself as well as your mum.

You can’t help anyone if your own batteries reach 0%. I believe you have a dog, which is a huge boon in times of mental stress as it ensures you’re getting out, which is vital to give yourself time for reflection. Equally, there’s no weakness seeking help from external agencies, and I mean for you, it sounds like you’ve already done what you can for your mum.

I was offered counselling after the death of my mum, but I was too numb for it to do any good. I spent about 30 months sleepwalking through life and then suddenly became insanely emotional, crying at things that would previously have elicited a quick “well done” or “that’s rough.”

That was when I was ready for counselling. Everyone’s different, you’re best placed to decide what’s right and when, just know that while there’s plenty of people on here who can and will provide practical help with doorbells, there’s literally thousands wishing you and your mum the best on what can’t help but be a difficult path.

 

[Wrong-Direction]

My nan has cameras all around her bungalow, it's an investment you won't regret

 

[ROSM]

I am very sorry to read the news about your aunt.

There is plenty of good advice here whether using Alexander cameras , ring or special house cctv solutions

 

[Chicken Run]

Another recommendation for Ring products from me, I have a door bell and outdoor Cam and found setup a breeze

 

[Cheshire Cat]

If you are having to go down that route, you may also be as well starting to research care homes at the same time just in case.

You don't want to find yourself on the same position as I was this time last year when Ms Cat was still at home and not doing at all well, and one day within two hours she had been admitted to a care home as an emergency by social services under a deprivation of liberty order for her own safety - and has been there ever since. Fortunately the care home is ok, but at the time I didn't know it even existed and didn't have any opportunity to check anything or vet it in advance. It was possibly the most traumatic thing I have ever had to agree to. It is also extremely expensive.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Best wishes Darren. I hope some of the clever people have provide a solution. I'm fairly barking as you know, but if you ever fancy exploring possible right angled options that sensible people may have overlooked, with respect to the larger piece, you have my phone number. We only have one life. Take care. M.

 

[BNthree]

Sorry to hear about your aunt, my condolences.

Blink, from Amazon, is cheap to buy and easy to set up and use. Only negative is if you have more than one camera the cloud storage is £7 a month (I think). You don’t have to use the cloud storage and can record to usb drive but the usage/experience is a lot rubbished than using the cloud service. You can set up trigger zones and be alerted if there’s movement in those zones etc.