The New Jersey Attorney General announced the expansion of the Safe Care Cam program into nursing homes, assisted living communities, residences for the developmentally disabled and other similar settings.

The Safe Care Cam program was launched in December 2016 to address concerns about patient abuse. The program makes cameras and memory cards available on loan for free to New Jersey residents who suspect their loved ones are being mistreated or neglected.

The provider community shares the program’s goal of protecting individuals. However, NJHA has many questions about the timeline for the expansion, the protection of privacy for residents and families, the involvement and notification of facility providers with regard to the use of cameras and guidance and resources available for providers. 

Today’s press release states, “In response to public requests, the Division (of Consumer Affair’s) new hidden-camera loan program is now open to residents who want to use the micro-surveillance equipment to keep an eye on loved ones in nursing homes and other institutional care facilities, not just in private homes, as the program was originally limited to. Extending Safe Care Cam’s reach into residential facilities permits more people to monitor how caregivers are treating their loved ones when they think no one is looking.”                                

In addition to the expanded camera program, the Attorney General’s office and DCA also announced that the state will no longer allow applicants seeking certification as home health aides to begin working in homes before the Board of Nursing has had an opportunity to review the results of their criminal history background checks.

New regulations proposed by the Board will eliminate a rule permitting certified home health aide applicants to work for up to 120 days on conditional certifications pending the results of their criminal history background checks. Certified home health aides must now be fully vetted and certified by the Board before caring for patients. NJHA supports protecting patients and ensuring their safety but is concerned about the impact this change could have on timely availability of home care services to patients living in the community.

NJHA is working with the other nursing home, assisted living and home care associations on these issues and will provide members with updated information as quickly as possible.