Protect Alabama's Nursing Home Residents: Give Families the Right to Use Safety Cameras

Petition to the Alabama Legislature

Every person deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion—especially those who can no longer fully advocate for themselves.

Across Alabama, thousands of families entrust nursing homes with the care of their parents, grandparents, spouses, and loved ones. The overwhelming majority of caregivers work tirelessly every day, and they deserve our gratitude and respect.

However, we also know that abuse, neglect, and mistreatment can happen behind closed doors. Many nursing home residents suffer from dementia, Alzheimer's disease, strokes, or other medical conditions that make it difficult—or impossible—for them to communicate when something is wrong.

Families should not have to wonder if their loved one is safe.

We are asking the Alabama Legislature to pass legislation that allows nursing home residents and their legal representatives to install electronic monitoring devices, commonly called "nanny cams," in residents' rooms with appropriate privacy protections and consent requirements.

These cameras are not about creating fear—they are about creating accountability, transparency, and peace of mind.

A nursing home camera law can:

Help protect vulnerable residents from abuse and neglect.
Provide peace of mind for families.
Protect good caregivers from false accusations.
Encourage transparency and accountability.
Preserve evidence if mistreatment occurs.
Improve trust between families and care facilities.
Many other states have already passed laws allowing electronic monitoring in nursing homes. Alabama families deserve the same opportunity to protect the people they love.

This issue is personal to me.

Like so many families, I've experienced the worry that comes with having a loved one in a nursing home. I've met incredible nurses and caregivers who truly love the residents they serve. They are heroes.

But I also know that not everyone who works in long-term care belongs there. One person can do tremendous harm to someone who cannot speak for themselves.

We can do better.

Our elderly built our communities, raised our families, served our country, and invested in future generations. They deserve to spend their final years knowing they are safe, valued, and protected.

I respectfully ask the Alabama Legislature to introduce and pass a Nursing Home Electronic Monitoring Act that gives residents and their families the legal option to use room cameras while protecting the privacy rights of roommates, visitors, and staff through reasonable safeguards.

Our parents matter.
Our grandparents matter.
Our most vulnerable matter.

Please sign this petition and join us in protecting Alabama's nursing home residents.

Together, we can give a voice to those who may no longer have one.

— Michelle "Nanny Chelle" Creel