As our parents, siblings, and relatives grow, we must make sure they are being cared for. It doesn’t matter if they are being cared for in your home, your home, or in an assisted living facility, you need to make sure they are not being abused. Rest easy with a hidden Granny Cam that will be your eyes while you’re not there.
You see a lot of horror stories about people who are supposed to be taking care of our elderly parents, and they are caught on video stealing money or pills, physically abusing them, or just not taking good enough care of them. The question of whether you should have a Granny Cam is not necessary, you should have it with your loved ones. The real question will be which one to choose? Granny Cams or Nanny Cams are just little video surveillance cameras that are hidden inside an everyday item to catch someone doing something they should or shouldn’t be doing. Then, you stream the video through several different methods so that it can be viewed.
You can choose hidden cameras that are color, black / white, or color that changes to B / W when it gets dark. You can add a low-lux function that helps you see in the dark, and some of the wireless cameras have a high-power addition that can increase the transmission distance from 700 to 3,000 feet.
There are four basic types of hidden cameras that use different ways of transmitting video.
- Wired cameras
- Wireless cameras
- SD Card DVR Cameras
- Secure IP cameras accessible to the Internet
Wired cameras: Wired hidden cameras are the oldest, most cost-effective, and offer very good quality. They are little wired dash cameras that are attached to an everyday item that requires electricity, so a cable won’t look out of place. Usually the item will work as planned, such as a pencil sharpener, can opener, air purifier, or fan.
They also have a male video cable adapter, so you can connect a video cable to run the video feed on a Quad, PC, or DVR. A PC can be configured with software to monitor power at the computer, or over the Internet for additional costs. These work best when your parents are staying at home or at your home, as the video cable can be detected in an assisted living facility.
Wireless Cameras – A wireless hidden camera has an internal 2.4GHz transmitter that silently sends video through the air to a receiver, which is installed in another room. No hidden wires can be found, and these are some of the best hidden cameras as they can be placed inside a Pringles can, tissue dispenser, wall clock, etc. They also have internal battery packs to supply power to the camera. Since there are no wires or cables sticking out, it is very difficult to know that it is recording your every move, unless you are using a hidden camera detector.
The video could have interference if you use other 2.4GHz devices, or if other receivers may touch or conflict with your signal. You can also feed the video to a PC with surveillance software and monitor them from the PC, or install software that will allow you to monitor the camera from the Internet. This is a good option for home use, although if you use it in an assisted-care facility, you will need to change the batteries frequently (8-12 hours).
SD Card DVR Cameras – They are the next generation in hidden camera surveillance systems. They use a small internal DVR that records the video directly to a hidden SD card for later playback. There are no cables or signals to discover, they are 100% autonomous. The advantage of this setup is that you can place an item like a desk clock, stereo, or even hang a wall clock, arm it with the key fob remote, and come back later to remove the SD card for viewing on a computer. or a television. This is the best camera to use in assisted living or in a hospital, as no one could know that the device is recording your every move.
Secure IP Cameras – If you are looking for a way to monitor your parents without having to purchase additional software or hardware, secure IP cameras offer a very easy way to monitor them over the Internet. They use the electrical cables in the house to transmit the video directly to your computer, which can be accessed from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection.
The camera is hidden in an everyday item like a desk clock or an air purifier that plugs into an adapter that plugs into the power outlet. The video is transmitted over the power lines to another adapter that connects to your computer. With the software installed, you can see what the camera is doing at any time, and you can connect up to six cameras and monitor them all in real time.
They are the best for your home or home, as the camera will have to be plugged into the wall, in a small adapter that can be noticed. It is not recommended for assisted care homes as it only works in the building where the camera is located.
These are the four ways you can monitor your parents or loved ones who need help living. A hidden Granny camera will give you peace of mind and a good night’s sleep.