What are your views on spy cameras in nursing homes?

I believe if the family suspects abuse or just wants to keep an eye on their loved, cameras are a good idea.

In fact, many abuses and neglect has been caught by hidden camera. Such as this video of neglect and abuse of a WWII Vet reported by the New York nypost.com/video/ this-world-war-ii-vet-died-in-a-nursing-home-while-the-staff-laughed/

I think it's a great idea.

I like cameras. I have five in my aunts home. The one in bedroom shows the floor. Only records when there is motion for 10 seconds. When she goes out with her dog. One shows who comes in and out entrance, what time. One in kitchen shows her sitting at table with food or meds.and her going to her coffee pot. I’ve talked her through how to find things using them.
One in living room shows her sitting in her chair and visitors.
One in laundry room which is only other place she goes. Dog treats are there.
They aren’t hidden. In plain view. They are for her protection.
I sometimes see the Medialert people when she presses the button by mistake.
I have an app on my phone and can check no matter where I am.
I notice that others notice them and I think that’s good.
Cameras are everywhere you go in public.
I realize you are speaking of a nursing home. I would want it there also. People behave better when they know they are being supervised is my belief. 

I think it would be extremely hard to get permission to do so as you do not own the business.

There should be cameras in the facility for that reason.

If you feel that your family member is being mistreated
1. Go straight to management and demand to see video in and around your family member's room
2. Request that family doctor pay an unannounced social visit or come with you so as to address your concerns
3. Have Adult Protective Services make an unannounced visit
4. Do not allow any staff in the room during such visits and have someone stand guard outside the door

A friend of mine had suspicions but couldn't prove the necessity to do so; when her Mother died it was the Mortician who informed her that her Mother had unexplainable bruising and older injuries to her head.

It's just not about with views, it's a legal issue. A nursing home is not a public place so there is an expectation of privacy. Thus unless you get permission from everyone or at the very least have clear notification that there's a camera recording for anyone who might be caught or even have their voice recorded on that camera, the question you might be asked is not about the "evidence" you gathered but why you illegally recorded it. Since you specifically said "spy camera" I'm assuming you won't be asking people to sign releases or posting a sign above it warning people that they are on camera.

Mothers first facility had cameras all over the PUBLIC areas and outside. There weren't any in the patient's rooms. The residents were allowed to walk all over so, if someone fell or other problem, they could see it from the computer center.

I don't see a reason, with decent staffing, why there should be cameras in the patients' room. Or at least turn the camera off or away when doing diaper changes or bathing.

I have mixed feelings about them. I generally don't agree with spying on people, however when there is a reasonable suspicion that something is amiss it can be the only way to collect evidence. If used they should be limited as to where they are focused and the length of time they are used.

Most facilities and some states have rules/laws against this due to privacy issues for both the patient and the caregiver

Loveisland, I am not a big fan of the spy cameras. Plus I am not sure a nursing home would allow that as there are many times during the day where a patient needs to have full privacy. And if there is a room-mate, not fair to the room-mate who would feel very uncomfortable knowing there is a camera.

I think if a person doesn't trust the nursing home, then time to find a new facility.