I have worked on such a system and had successfully installed it in my own home as a test last year.

The 'system' can include multiple video cameras, motion sensors, plus various 'control modules'. I am working on including an easy internet hookup for on dmeand video conferencing. One strong benefit of this system is the ability to have it send emails and/or cell phone text calls or short video clips or still photos when defined events take place.

I am not sure that the product is still being manufactured by Motorola but it may still be available via the internet; it is called: Home Monitoring and Control System. It requires a PC on both ends which can be problematic along with internet connections and costs. The 'starter kit' goes by Model # HMEZ 1000 and includes a Base station, Wireless camera, Quick Start Guide. Send me an email should you wish to discuss further to rwwalvo@comcast.net .

My ultimate goal is the development a full system for public application in situations as you described. I am now working with another vendor's product line and continue to 'experiment'. If I can be of assistance, I will gladly share my experience to date. ~~Wayne

I have worked on such a system and had successfully installed it in my own home as a test last year.

The 'system' can include multiple video cameras, motion sensors, plus various 'control modules'. I am working on including an easy internet hookup for on dmeand video conferencing. One strong benefit of this system is the ability to have it send emails and/or cell phone text calls or short video clips or still photos when defined events take place.

I am not sure that the product is still being manufactured by Motorola but it may still be available via the internet; it is called: Home Monitoring and Control System. It requires a PC on both ends which can be problematic along with internet connections and costs. The 'starter kit' goes by Model # HMEZ 1000 and includes a Base station, Wireless camera, Quick Start Guide. Send me an email should you wish to discuss further to rwwalvo@comcast.net .

My ultimate goal is the development a full system for public application in situations as you described. I am now working with another vendor's product line and continue to 'experiment'. If I can be of assistance, I will gladly share my experience to date. ~~Wayne

Has anyone asked the Grandmother how she feels about it?

Has anyone asked the Grandmother how she feels about it?

I would highly recommend the Panasonic BL-C230A. The cost is about $270 on Amazon. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002JM5JSU/ref=cm_rdp_product)

This camera will work without a computer at your grandmother's house. (You will need a computer to set it up initially.) You need a high-speed Internet connection and a wireless router. The camera pans, tilts, zooms, and let's you hear what is happening (microphone is very sensitive, so you can hear what is happening in other rooms that you cannot see). To hear the audio, you have to use a PC, not a MAC, and use Internet Explorer as your browser. You can also view the video from your iPhone, Blackberry, or Android phone. The camera comes with recording software, which I have not used.

I have used the predecessor to this camera extensively (Panasonic BL-C131A), and it works amazingly well. It can be tricky to set up, so I recommend you read the comments on Amazon for both cameras (C230A and C131A) for tips on getting it to work. Panasonic's telephone support is excellent, so I recommend you call them if you run into a snag.

Over the last 2 years, I have extensively researched Internet Cameras on three separate occasions, and each time I've come to the same conclusion...that Panasonic offers the best camera for the price. Based on my experience, once you get the camera to work, it is incredibly reliable. Keep in mind that the performance is highly affected by the upload speed of your Internet connection. For best results, you will need a consistent upload speed of at least 400 kbps. You can test the speed at www.speakeasy.net.

If you read through the reviews on Amazon, the camera gets mixed reviews. However, notice that everyone who got it to work absolutely loves it, and the people who gave up on getting it to work didn't like it. The people who had trouble all had problems in getting the camera to work with their router. If you buy a wireless router and this camera and have trouble setting it up, you may want to send the router back and try another brand. Or buy your router from a company that offers good technical support.

If you don't need the camera to work wirelessly (meaning you can place the camera near a router and connect with an Ethernet cable), you can save some money and potentially some aggravation by using the Panasonic BL-C210A instead; it costs about $175. (http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-BL-C210A-Internet-Security-Camera/dp/B002JLZMN8/ref=pd_bxgy_p_text_b)

Good luck, Jim

I would highly recommend the Panasonic BL-C230A. The cost is about $270 on Amazon. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002JM5JSU/ref=cm_rdp_product)

This camera will work without a computer at your grandmother's house. (You will need a computer to set it up initially.) You need a high-speed Internet connection and a wireless router. The camera pans, tilts, zooms, and let's you hear what is happening (microphone is very sensitive, so you can hear what is happening in other rooms that you cannot see). To hear the audio, you have to use a PC, not a MAC, and use Internet Explorer as your browser. You can also view the video from your iPhone, Blackberry, or Android phone. The camera comes with recording software, which I have not used.

I have used the predecessor to this camera extensively (Panasonic BL-C131A), and it works amazingly well. It can be tricky to set up, so I recommend you read the comments on Amazon for both cameras (C230A and C131A) for tips on getting it to work. Panasonic's telephone support is excellent, so I recommend you call them if you run into a snag.

Over the last 2 years, I have extensively researched Internet Cameras on three separate occasions, and each time I've come to the same conclusion...that Panasonic offers the best camera for the price. Based on my experience, once you get the camera to work, it is incredibly reliable. Keep in mind that the performance is highly affected by the upload speed of your Internet connection. For best results, you will need a consistent upload speed of at least 400 kbps. You can test the speed at www.speakeasy.net.

If you read through the reviews on Amazon, the camera gets mixed reviews. However, notice that everyone who got it to work absolutely loves it, and the people who gave up on getting it to work didn't like it. The people who had trouble all had problems in getting the camera to work with their router. If you buy a wireless router and this camera and have trouble setting it up, you may want to send the router back and try another brand. Or buy your router from a company that offers good technical support.

If you don't need the camera to work wirelessly (meaning you can place the camera near a router and connect with an Ethernet cable), you can save some money and potentially some aggravation by using the Panasonic BL-C210A instead; it costs about $175. (http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-BL-C210A-Internet-Security-Camera/dp/B002JLZMN8/ref=pd_bxgy_p_text_b)

Good luck, Jim

When my mother was living alone, we had a three camera system in her house which we could monitor live with computers. It was a great tool to be able to check in on her every time we sat down at the computer. We did this with her knowledge and permission. Ours did not record activities, so the one you are talking about would be much superior for your needs. Often, if there is neglect or abuse, just the knowledge that daily activities are being monitored will be enough to correct the situation, so don't be surprised if you find everything hunky dory after you get the monitoring in place... that's what you want after all. My mother also had a pendant around her neck which would call us if she was in trouble, and we could check the monitor and see where she was and what the problem was. I highly recommend monitoring for your grandmother's safety and your peace of mind. It is good to get her permission to do this as a courtesy.

When my mother was living alone, we had a three camera system in her house which we could monitor live with computers. It was a great tool to be able to check in on her every time we sat down at the computer. We did this with her knowledge and permission. Ours did not record activities, so the one you are talking about would be much superior for your needs. Often, if there is neglect or abuse, just the knowledge that daily activities are being monitored will be enough to correct the situation, so don't be surprised if you find everything hunky dory after you get the monitoring in place... that's what you want after all. My mother also had a pendant around her neck which would call us if she was in trouble, and we could check the monitor and see where she was and what the problem was. I highly recommend monitoring for your grandmother's safety and your peace of mind. It is good to get her permission to do this as a courtesy.

Yes, I own a home care agency and we have had several clients with surveillance equipment. We even assist if someone wants to lease equipment. Caregivers are sometimes a bit uncomfortable at first, but the cameras are never in the caregivers private space (if they live-in).

Some adults don't want family members "looking in", so it is only right for those folks it's right for. We had one client who had everything on tape, but it was only viewed if their was an "incident". This actually proved to be good evidence that the caregiver was doing her job.

No computer is needed on site, only a high speed internet connection.

Yes, I own a home care agency and we have had several clients with surveillance equipment. We even assist if someone wants to lease equipment. Caregivers are sometimes a bit uncomfortable at first, but the cameras are never in the caregivers private space (if they live-in).

Some adults don't want family members "looking in", so it is only right for those folks it's right for. We had one client who had everything on tape, but it was only viewed if their was an "incident". This actually proved to be good evidence that the caregiver was doing her job.

No computer is needed on site, only a high speed internet connection.

My father had alzheimers and lived in an independent living retirement community with memory care. He passed away 3 months ago, but for the last year that he lived in this apartment, we decided to use a camera with high speed internet connection. We would check in daily, sometimes as we talked to him. We were able to make sure he took his medicine, and made sure he left to go to the dining room for meals. If he didn't or we didn't see him and were concerned, we called the office and someone checked in on him. We were often out of town, many times for extended periods, and it was wonderful for our peace of mind!

My father had alzheimers and lived in an independent living retirement community with memory care. He passed away 3 months ago, but for the last year that he lived in this apartment, we decided to use a camera with high speed internet connection. We would check in daily, sometimes as we talked to him. We were able to make sure he took his medicine, and made sure he left to go to the dining room for meals. If he didn't or we didn't see him and were concerned, we called the office and someone checked in on him. We were often out of town, many times for extended periods, and it was wonderful for our peace of mind!

Keep in mind the Myhalo system allows for internet monitoring as well. Within the next several months with the technology advancing as quickly as it is, the wireless system will allow for GPS monitoring as well. Camera's are nice but that is a major invasion of privacy I would think. The system monitors heart rate, skin temp, activity levels, it will let you know if they are wearing it or not and keep in mind you can monitor on the web - or did I say that already. Go to www.tedstory.ws and click on the :Caregivers tab and follow the instructions and you will see the current live link for the monitoring via the web.

Keep in mind the Myhalo system allows for internet monitoring as well. Within the next several months with the technology advancing as quickly as it is, the wireless system will allow for GPS monitoring as well. Camera's are nice but that is a major invasion of privacy I would think. The system monitors heart rate, skin temp, activity levels, it will let you know if they are wearing it or not and keep in mind you can monitor on the web - or did I say that already. Go to www.tedstory.ws and click on the :Caregivers tab and follow the instructions and you will see the current live link for the monitoring via the web.

We use Guardian Medical Monitoring's system - we really like it and it wasn't that expensive compared to a number of other companies. You can check it out on www.guardianmedicalmonitoring.com

We use Guardian Medical Monitoring's system - we really like it and it wasn't that expensive compared to a number of other companies. You can check it out on www.guardianmedicalmonitoring.com