I want to put a video camera in mom's room, due to current health issues and staff issues. Can I legally?

Icaremom, I can understand you want to find out what type of care your Mom is getting. And to see if maybe Mom's dementia is at the stage of story-telling.

Check the admission papers to see what the facility says about cameras. Due to the fact that the camera could be recording private moments such as Mom having her clothes changed, or diapers changed, that could be unnerving if Mom found out.

And unfortunately there has been cases of such cameras being hacked by outsiders [this has happened to baby monitors] where others can see/hear what is going on.

Your profile says you are in Texas, if your mom is also in Texas then yes it is legal BUT you must notify the facility, get written consent from her roommate if she has one and and there has to be a conspicuous note posted in the room saying that the room is under video surveillance.

Check with the administration of the facility. I believe if you do put a camera in there, you will have to post a sign saying there’s a camera in use.