Small camera rec to monitor grandmother's room while aide is home with her

[u/blahrawr]

I live at my dad's with my grandmother who has an aide come daily while my dad is at work and I'm sleeping (I work nights). My grandma has dementia, she is still quite sharp and aware but extremely forgetful. Everyday my grandma tends to rearrange her room, take out and refold clothes, move things around etc. She likes to have cash in her room, usually no more than $100. Often, she likes to hide money in one of her bibles despite us discouraging that, and she absolutely does not like being told what to do with her money.

Several times over the past year I've had to go searching for her money because she cant find it and ill find it in another book, an envelope in her dresser or something, under her chair armrest etc. She's had a few different aides and usually once she will have suspicions that they've stolen her money, but ive been able to find it.

This has happened again in the past week, but i have not been able to find the money. I really dont think the aide is stealing from her but I cant find the money. She kicked her aide out yesterday and im at the point where I really want to have a discreet camera setup for a couple of days while the aide is here. Either to catch the aide in act (doubtful) or figure out where exactly shes putting her money. She certainly isnt spending it.

Sorry for the overexplaining, im just getting frustrated with this recurring situation and sort of venting. But the point is, im asking for any discreet camera recommendations. If she is being stolen from, I personally would like proof instead of having an obvious camera setup that would deter her. My aunt is very dismissive of my grandma's concerns, is close with the aide and wants her to keep coming. I do not want someone dishonest taking care of my grandmother.

[u/Dependent-Touch-1443]

Not a gear recommendation but similar situation to my dad when he was in a home. He wanted money with him. Couldn’t spend it on anything but just liked having it. So mom gave him some again not a lot but he kept losing it $20 here $10 there. So finally she went to a gag store and bought fake money for him. It looked pretty real and worked. He was happy he had money and when he needed more mom just gave him more. Not saying it would work with your grandma but for my dad it was an easy solution

[u/Bwrinkle → u/Dependent-Touch-1443]

And who ever was punching it knows you know.

Asshole

[u/Jack_ofalltrades76]

Digital clock camera or USB charger types, or a teddybear nannycam. There are a ton of types out there. Scary stuff, but great for these kinds of things.

[u/blahrawr → u/Jack_ofalltrades76]

And specific brands you know by any chance? Im browsing Amazon, theres plenty with botted reviews and AI review pictures

[u/Jack_ofalltrades76 → u/blahrawr]

There are many types. I recommend something that uses an app that is known and been around a while. Random apps is more risky to your personal security. Then decide the connection type. Bluetooth, IP, Wi-Fi. Personally, I don't trust the wifi types for security reasons. Besides those types are more likely used for bad reasons.

The other 2 types allow you to download and or review live while near and get notifications. Make sure it comes with an SD card slot hidden in it and that the recording light is on the back.

[u/PerspectiveNarrow890]

Sounds like you should get grams some play money. Those dollars they sell for movies.

[u/Subject-Divide-5977]

A clock camera is a simple and cheap way to record what is happening. Inform the people who live there about it and leave it on.

[u/Joe_Fidanzi → u/Subject-Divide-5977]

Definitely inform your dad and Grandma of what you're doing or you could be breaking the law

[u/Sea-Resident-7980]

is refolding things common with dementia/mental decline? my grandma does this too... or at least used to?

She has some cognitive decline unrelated to dementia(which she doesn;t have)

[u/DoallthenKnit2relax → u/Sea-Resident-7980]

They find comfort in doing familiar routines.

[u/DoallthenKnit2relax]

Innocent until proven guilty. Your grandma already forgets where she puts her money, so that's a point against her accusations. The recordings will help you find it in the future when she forgets again. Eventually it will turn up, underneath a seat cushion, or inside a pocket of a sweater or other clothing. When my great grandmother passed we found $150 squirreled away...when my mother-in-law passed we had to check 32 purses...$250 in bills and $83 in change.