Archive for July 23rd, 2010

Nursing Homes and "Nanny Cams"

Author: admin

Jul 23



Nursing Homes are about the last places anyone wants to be, but about 1.6 million people now live in some type of nursing facility in the United States. Believe it or not, 30 years from now, the number is expected to be a whopping 5 million.

As necessary as these facilities are, many patients have been placed at risk; according to government figures, one out of four nursing homes every year is cited for causing death or serious injury to a resident.

Eighty-three percent of elderly Americans have been interviewed and most everyone said they would stay in their homes until the end if they could. Thirty percent say they’d rather die than go into a nursing home. And their fears may be well founded. As there are a rising number of abuses in nursing homes, due to fact that many workers hired aren’t properly screened. Indeed across the nation, dangerous nursing home workers are not being detected, and elderly people certainly aren’t being protected.

As many as 33 states do some sort of background check on a cross-section of nursing home workers but none require a national background check.

Since many nursing home residents have limited abilities to communicate, identifying potential abuse requires careful monitoring. Looking for the signs of nursing home abuse requires frequent visits to the nursing home or assisted living facility but of the people working there will know if you are watching trying to catch them abusing your parent or friend.

A hidden camera could be the ideal covert solution to record the activities going on day to day and to let you know exactly how your loved one is being treated. And a nanny cam could be your best chance for recording and documenting physical abuse of your loved one. But the inherent problem with hidden cameras is that they need an external recorder like a DVR or Time Lapse VCR to be connected to it to record the insidious events. Obviously, this isn’t possible in a nursing home or other caregiver location.
A Stand Alone Hidden Camera/DVR (StealthCam) allows you to daily see what’s really going on and leaves no tell-tale signs that covert video is being recorded.

These are some steps to follow if you suspect that your loved one is being abused.

o Visit frequently. To assess the care provided, vary your visits to different times of the day and evening.

o Buy a Stand Alone Hidden Camera/DVR that will record all covert video surveillance. Motion activated real time video or high-resolution “still shots” are recorded on a tiny Secure Digital (SD) card, housed in a hidden compartment. All recordings are time/date stamped for legal reference, if necessary. The SD card, which is used to record the covert video, is removable from the unit and can be played on your PC via included SD card reader, or viewed directly on your TV. No additional software needed.

o Talk to nurses and aides about your concerns.

o Talk to the Director of Nurses, Social Worker and Administrator.

o Talk to the doctor.

o Call your state oversight agency. In each state there is a division of the Department of Health which deals with oversight of nursing homes and enforcement of nursing home regulations. This agency conducts yearly surveys of each nursing home and also investigates complaints filed by family members. Find out who the state licensing agency is from your nursing home. They are required to provide this information to you when your place a resident in the nursing home.

o If you believe that your family member may be a victim of any form of abuse or neglect by the nursing home, you can and should file a complaint with the state Licensing and Certification Division. They are required to investigate your complaint. If the Licensing and Certification division substantiates your complaint, they have the authority to issue a citation against the facility, impose a fine, and require corrective action.

By: Dorothy Lumski

About the Author:
DL Consultants, LLC
http://www.VigilanceandSecurity.com

Vigilance and Security is a fast growing internet reseller of a broad line of cutting edge security camera and surveillance systems appropriate for home, as well as, small and medium business applications. Our clients include parents, homeowners, warehouses, convenience stores, restaurants and retail establishments. Our mission is to provide the highest level of service, integrity, and product value.



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Selecting a Nanny – The Second Interview

Author: admin

Jul 23



House Rules

So, you’ve narrowed the nanny search down to a few prospective nannies. The larger items have been discussed – the pay, the work hours, vacation time, etc. – but you still need to talk to them about the finer points of being a nanny in your home. Your nanny needs to learn about your personality, your child’s personality as well as the rules of the house. Consider the following: How do you want your child disciplined? What do you want your nanny to do as far as handling day to day tasks? Do you want them to contact you in any situation or make decisions for themselves? Will you allow them to provide education to your child or just monitor their behavior? How will you and your nanny work together to resolve conflicts?

These are essential items to discuss. Get things started on the same page, without having any surprises down the road.

Child Interaction

It is essential to monitor the nanny’s interaction with your child during the interviewing process. In fact, let your child interview them, in a sense. For example, send them outside to play alone for a few minutes and monitor their interaction from a window.

Note certain things, such as how the nanny reacts if your child says “no!” and how the nanny reacts when your child asks a question. Doe they talk authoritatively or are they soft spoken?

The Second Interview

So, you’ve found someone that seems to be pretty good on paper and in person. Why bother with a second interview? The second interview provides another opportunity for you to observe the nanny working with your child. This is the perfect way for you to determine if they are getting along well and if they fit within your family’s personality.

Consider going on an outing with the nanny and your child as the second interview. Just remember that they aren’t working for you yet, so allow them only to interact with the child when they initiate it. The nanny should be able to interact with your child enough to convince them that she would be fun to play with.

During the outing, notice how well they pay attention to your child. Are they more concerned about impressing you rather than interacting with your child? Are they listening to the child and encouraging good behavior? Taking these things into account will help you to make the final decision about who the right nanny is.

Make the Decision

It’s time to select the right nanny for the job. Following is a checklist of items to take care of prior to your nanny’s first day on the job: Double check all personal and employment references. Do this even if they were referred by a nanny placement agency. Run a background check and a driver’s record check. Work through any unresolved issues with salary, hours, duties, etc. Come to an agreement on how discipline will be handled.

Once you’ve determined who the best nanny is, trust your intuition and hire the person you feel fits best for your child and for your family.

By: Hilary Basile

About the Author:
Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com at http://www.myguidesusa.com, you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life’s major events. Whether you’re planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you’ll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com.

Find parenting tips and resources at http://becomingaparent.myguidesusa.com



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The Nannycam – Top Five Reasons Why to Tell Nanny You Have It

Author: admin

Jul 23



A significant increase in the sales of nannycam reflects the growing uneasiness of parents leaving their young children in the care of sitters. There are many reasons for this concern, but should parents tell the nannies about the presence of video surveillance cameras in the home?

Should Nanny Be Told?

A nannycam at home, is it legal? You are torn between secrecy and fear of the law. Anyway, it is your home and your children. Are these not enough reasons to withhold the information from the nanny? This is the dilemma confounding parents in 15 US states.

The law notwithstanding, there are valid reasons why you should still tell the nanny you have not only one nannycam but also several scattered all over the place.

1. Basic courtesy – Nannies are your employees and should be treated with the courtesy due their position in the household. They are trained to provide child care and are carefully screened by nanny agencies to prevent repeats of notorious nanny cases where children are abused and harmed by the people who are supposed to care for them.

2. Keep a good nanny – If you do not tell the nanny about the nannycams stashed in your place and she discovers it by chance, she will be insulted by the implications of the cameras’ presence. What if she’s reliable, competent, and great with the kids? You’ll lose a gem. Informing the nanny-hopefuls about the nannycam before the hire is the best time to give the information. If they have nothing to hide, they’ll pursue their application for the posting.

3. Safety – In instances you get a temporary nanny, most likely a teenager in the neighborhood, you want to be sure of everybody’s safety in the house. Young babysitters need instructions, not only on child-minding, but also on their safety from unwanted visitors.

4. Good performance – Knowing that there are cameras in the house keeps nanny on her toes. She’ll be more circumspect in dealing with the children, following schedules, and keeping away from the phone and the master’s bedroom.

5. Develops trust – Believe or not, but the presence of nannycams develops trust. The nanny knows you know she is doing a good job and this positive turn enhances your employer-employee relationship.

The nanny camera does not only videotape the activities of the nanny. You can check if the kids are behaving or making life miserable for the nanny. This gives you even more reason why you should tell the nanny about your stash.

Precautions to Take

The ethical and legal issues about a hidden nannycam are not to be dismissed lightly. To avoid legal tussles, the hidden nanny cameras should not be positioned in areas where the nanny’s privacy can be violated, nor should you install audio recording.

Audio recording is illegal in majority of the states, and there are gray areas in audio surveillance especially when it concerns children in the care of adults. Unless you are a police officer on duty, or working on national security projects, you can tape conversations. But with the nanny, it is a different story.

Before outfitting your home with a nannycam know the local laws. You might get an activist nanny who can put you in trouble. Like you, nannies have wised up to the ways of spy cameras, too. So beware.

By: Nahshon Roberts

About the Author:
Take control of your children’s welfare with a nannycam. You can choose between hidden nanny cameras and a pinhole video camera. Whatever your choice, Video-Surveillance-Guide.com can help you pick the right one. Visit the site today.



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What to Know About a New Nanny – Top Interview Topics

Author: admin

Jul 23



Hiring a nanny can be a stressful process, especially when it comes to hand picking who to hire. All parents fear they will make an incorrect choice, and only have themselves to blame. While it may be tempting to interview nanny candidates after first submitting each to full background checks, fingerprinting, and DNA analysis, there are better ways to go about interviewing a nanny. Sticking to some of the following essential nanny questions, as recommended by childcare professionals, will help make the interview process run smoothly.

Begin by deciding how to find your new nanny. Some families find it easiest to work with an agency. Others may find it better to take out an ad on their own. However you decide to do it, first be prepared with a clear idea of what you’re looking for. When will the position start? What role will the nanny fill: educator, caretaker, housekeeper, all of the above? How much can you afford in nanny salary? What kind of experience and training do you want the nanny to have? How much is personality a factor? Knowing what you are looking for will help you ask your nanny questions that are productive right from the first phone interview.

The first step in an interview will likely always be conducted over the phone. During the phone interview it is important to get X factor questions out of the way. For example, if you need to get to work by 9 and the nanny cannot be over until after putting her own kids on the bus in the morning, it may be an automatic red flag that there will be frequent scheduling conflicts. Use your judgment during the course of the phone interview to decide whether or not a prospective nanny should be extended the invitation of a personal interview.

Begin with some of the following questions to get a good grasp on the phone interview candidate:

What is the nanny’s prior experience? Ask the prospective nanny to provide names and dates, task descriptions and children’s ages. Find out if previous employers may be contacted as references. Ask if you may run a background check on the nanny.

Does the nanny have formal training, or would the nanny be willing to undergo further childcare training during the course of a position with your family? Is the nanny certified in emergency training like CPR and First-aid? Give the nanny a hypothetical scenario and ask how it should be dealt with.

Does the nanny smoke? Does the nanny cook, and will the nanny expect meals to be provided? Will the prospective nanny need frequent vacations, or time off for a preexisting health condition? Does the nanny drive?

Next, determine whether the personal nanny interview is necessary by asking philosophy and approach questions like the following:

Why is the nanny currently available? Why is the nanny interested in continuing a profession as a nanny? What aspects of the job do the nanny like and dislike the most? What kind of family would the nanny ideally like to find?

What makes the nanny appealing to children? How would they deal with problems like getting a child to bathe, do homework, or handle separation anxiety? What discipline measures are appropriate to take? What discipline measures work best for the nanny?

With all of the essential questions out of the way by the time the nanny comes over for a personal interview, it is possible to focus on the benefits of having the nanny one-on-one. See how a conversation with the nanny goes, and let the nanny meet the children to get an idea of whether or not there is good chemistry. Ask the nanny to bring all personal and employment reference materials, as well as data to run a persona reference check, to the nanny interview. Should everything run smoothly, it’s time to offer a conditional offer of employment to your new nanny! With any luck everything will fall into place, and you will be enjoying the peace of mind of working with a top, trustworthy nanny in no time.

By: Steve Lampert

About the Author:
About the Author

Steve Lampert is the president of eNannySource, an online nanny agency that brings together families and nannies. Lampert has been helping nannies find nanny jobs and families find nannies. Steve has been in the nanny agency business since 1994. Prior to founding eNannySource in 2001 he ran a successful, award-winning nanny agency in a major city for over 10 years, during which time he worked with thousands of families and nanny candidates. Through this experience, he became familiar with the important steps in a nanny search, which he continues to apply to his business today. To find an excellent nanny or to find nanny jobs please go to: http://www.enannysource.com.



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Watch Your Kids While You Work

Author: admin

Jul 23



For working parents, it is inevitable to leave the kids at home or rather leave them in day care centers while you work. Since that is so, you would have to hire someone trustworthy to watch over them. While that could be enough to keep them guarded, it still makes a difference if you could see for yourself how the kids are doing. This concept is getting more popular with the use of technology.

Watch Your Kid While You Leave Them At Home

If you prefer leaving your kids at home, you would most likely hire a nanny. While that alone would already give some parents a sense of security however for some, they would still want to see for themselves how the kids are actually doing, how the nanny is treating them and how they are getting along. This is now made possible by the growing popularity of a nanny cam .

Another catch with nanny cameras is that they could be hidden and it could record without anyone noticing. The more common reason why parents would use hidden nanny cameras is that they have a certain sense of insecurity that some things might turn out wrong and they want it to be seen and recorded. A strong example of this is abuse, since a lot of parents would fear this; they would want to monitor how the nanny works. They are able to do so with these devices.

If you would prefer a more commercialized feel and would rather leave your kids at a day care center rather than your home, you can still watch over them through nanny cams. Most of the time, nanny cams at day care centers come in more features which is also one reason why parents would go for day care centers.

Leaving Your Kids At Day Care Centers

A day care center is the option for parents who would go for a more professional feel that would give them more security. A growing trend among day care centers is to employ the use of nanny cameras for them to allow the parents to be able to see how their kids are doing and how they are being treated while they work. For some, parents can access this camera through their cell phones or though internet.

This concept has a lot of benefits. Parents feel more secure when they see how their kids are doing, and they would pay more to be able to do so. More than that, the camera has a certain aura that the kids can feel and as a result, they gain confidence with the feeling that their moms and dads are watching them. While these could give you a lot of benefits, there are also some disadvantages.

One disadvantage is the fear of unauthorized access. Some would fear that unauthorized people can hack their way into the system and gain images of their children, making their kids more endangered. If you are concerned with this, make sure you let the day care center know for them to be more awate and to be able to manage.

By: Nahshon Roberts

About the Author:
You’re kids might be doing something naughty when you’re not at home. Keep track of their activities with nanny cameras. Nanny cam is perfect for monitoring your kid’s activities at home. Hidden nanny camera is perfect for nosy children who are on the look-out for recordings of what they’re doing at home when you’re not around.



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Finding a Nanny Online – How to Find a Great Nanny Online!

Author: admin

Jul 23



Are you considering hiring a family nanny? Finding a nanny online can be done by using an online nanny placement agency which is one of the simplest ways to access a database of family nannies that are looking to work as a private family caregiver. One of the reasons families are choosing to use this type service is the fact that many other families already used it successfully to find a great family helper. This article will explain how this simple service works.

Finding a nanny online – the basic concept

Online matching services provide parents the ability to search and find a private childcare provider for their family according to their own specific needs. This service is based on a web searching technique that can track down the nearest nanny to you in your hometown that may fit the profile you need. Finding a nanny is not the only service parents can enjoy from. Other available options can be – how to screen a nanny, how to run a wide nanny background check before hiring a person and how to set the best working agreement between both sides.

Why use an online service?

There are several advantages in using this type of online service:

(1) Provide parents a clear guidelines on how to conduct the seeking, screening and hiring process.
(2) Minimizes your family caregiver seeking time.
(3) Minimizes your expenses and provide an effective solution to your problem.

It’s all about simplicity

Finding a nanny online is not that complicated if you are using the right tools. A family-nanny matching service provide parents the fastest way to access a nationwide database of fine nannies that are looking for great families. If we further explore this solution, we could easily find other advantages this nanny locating solution is offering since it can provide a simple solution to a frustrating task. It is strongly advised to again look into the above important tips and advices just as you begin using an online nanny matching agency.

By: Gill Lavi

About the Author:
If you wish to learn more about the benefits of using online placment agencies to help you in Finding a Nanny Online, visit: http://www.online-nanny.com

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