Designing the Perfect CCTV Layout for a Nursing Home: Camera Placement Guide

Installing a CCTV system in an aged care facility is not just about choosing high-quality cameras — it’s about placing them in the right locations to maximise safety, privacy, and operational oversight. Poor placement can result in blind spots, legal compliance issues, and ineffective monitoring.

In this article, we’ll explore how to design an optimal CCTV layout for nursing homes, with a focus on safety, consent, and functionality.

1. Objectives of CCTV in Aged Care Settings

Before installing any cameras, clarify the core goals of the system. Common objectives include:

Monitoring resident safety (e.g. falls, wandering)
Preventing and investigating elder abuse or neglect
Protecting staff and visitors from false allegations
Monitoring access points for unauthorised entry
Supporting compliance with industry and legal standards

These goals will help determine what areas require coverage and the type of cameras to use.

2. Priority Camera Locations

✅ Main Entrances and Exits

Monitor all ingress and egress of visitors, staff, and residents
Deter unauthorised entry or elopement of confused residents
Capture clear face shots for time-stamped review

Recommended camera types:
Fixed lens bullet or turret cameras with high resolution and wide dynamic range (WDR)

✅ Reception and Visitor Waiting Areas

Ensure a secure entry environment
Monitor visitor behaviour and interaction with staff
Review incidents or disputes at the front desk

Recommended features:
Audio support (if legally compliant), high-definition, wide-angle lenses

✅ Hallways and Corridors

Observe resident and staff movement throughout the facility
Detect loitering, falls, or aggressive behaviour
Essential for linking events across time and locations

Installation tips:

Position cameras at hallway junctions
Use corridor-optimised lenses (e.g., 9:16 aspect ratio)

✅ Common Lounges and Dining Areas

Ensure residents are being supervised during high-traffic times
Spot early warning signs of agitation or health distress
Record social interactions for incident review

Recommended cameras:
Turret or dome cameras with IR or colour night vision for dim evening hours

✅ Medication Storage and Administration Rooms

Prevent unauthorised access to medical stock
Monitor medication handover processes
Support medication incident investigations

Compliance note:
Ensure footage is only accessed by authorised staff and stored securely.

✅ Perimeter and Outdoor Areas

Monitor outdoor sitting spaces, carparks, and garden exits
Prevent trespassing or resident wandering beyond safe areas
Capture activity during early morning or late evening shifts

Ideal camera types:
IP67-rated outdoor cameras with infrared, starlight or colour night vision

3. Areas to Avoid or Monitor with Caution

CCTV should not be used in:

Bathrooms and toilets
Resident bedrooms (unless consent is provided)
Private clinical consultations
Staff change rooms

If bedroom monitoring is medically necessary (e.g., for fall-risk residents or end-of-life care), you must obtain written consent from the resident or guardian and implement strict access controls.

4. Tips for Optimal Layout Design

Avoid Blind Spots

Use overlapping fields of view where possible
Review potential obstacles like doors, curtains, or furniture

Respect Lighting Conditions

Install cameras with WDR in areas with backlighting (e.g., near windows)
Use IR or low-light tech for dim corridors and outdoor zones

Position Cameras at Proper Heights

Indoor: 2.4 to 3 metres from ground
Outdoor: Higher for perimeter, lower for entrance face capture

Secure NVR and Power Sources

Store recording equipment in a locked communications cabinet or secure IT room
Use UPS backups to ensure footage continuity during outages

5. Central Monitoring and Integration

To streamline operations:

Connect all cameras to a centralised NVR (e.g. Hikvision or Dahua Pro series)
Use VMS software (e.g. Wisenet Viewer) to monitor multiple sites if needed
Integrate with intercoms, alarms, and access control for enhanced visibility

You can even allow families limited access to certain cameras with time-limited or role-based access (if consented and policy permits).

6. Staff Training and Maintenance

Ensure staff know where cameras are and how to report incidents
Train nominated personnel on footage retrieval and data handling
Schedule regular system checks for lens cleaning, time syncing, and recording validation

Conclusion: Thoughtful Design Leads to Safer, More Compliant Care

A well-designed CCTV layout is discreet, efficient, and ethical. It ensures maximum coverage where it matters most while protecting the dignity of residents and staying within legal boundaries.

By combining proper camera selection with strategic placement and clear policies, aged care facilities can create a surveillance system that builds trust, improves care, and enhances safety.

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