Can I put a camera in my parent's home to watch from far away?

Yes, video cameras in shared areas are generally fine, and they let you check in live and talk through the camera. But be careful with audio: in Florida, recording someone's voice without consent can be illegal. Tell aides and visitors, or turn the microphone off.

Is it legal to record my in-home aide in Florida?

Video in shared areas is usually allowed. Recording the aide's audio without their consent can be a felony in Florida. Tell the aide about the cameras and get consent (in writing for paid caregivers), or disable the sound. Never record in bathrooms or bedrooms. This is general information, not legal advice.

What does a home security system cost?

Do-it-yourself professional monitoring commonly runs about $10 to $30 a month, and camera cloud storage about $3 to $25 a month per camera. Cameras range from about $25 to $280 each. Professionally installed systems cost more but include setup.

Do security cameras need internet?

For a faraway caregiver, yes, live view, alerts, and two-way talk need home Wi-Fi. Some cameras record locally without internet, but you can't view them remotely or get timely alerts.

Home › Staying safe & connected › Security systems & cameras

Home security systems and cameras

A camera at the door or in the kitchen lets a faraway daughter see that Mom is up and about, talk to her, and know the aide arrived. Here's how the systems work, what they cost, and the one Florida law you must know before you record anyone.

Last reviewed: August 8, 2026

The short version:

Two setups: a company monitors your home 24/7 for a monthly fee, or you and family watch it yourselves through a phone app (do-it-yourself, usually costs less).
Cameras let a faraway family member see a live view, watch saved clips, and talk through the camera.
Florida law: recording someone's audio without their consent can be a felony, even in your own home. Tell aides and visitors, get consent, or turn the microphone off.
Never put cameras in a bathroom or bedroom.

A camera sends live video to a faraway caregiver's phone, with two-way talk.

Common questions

Can I put a camera in my parent's home to watch from far away?: Yes, video cameras in shared areas are generally fine, and they let you check in live and talk through the camera. But be careful with audio: in Florida, recording someone's voice without consent can be illegal. Tell aides and visitors, or turn the microphone off.
Is it legal to record my in-home aide in Florida?: Video in shared areas is usually allowed. Recording the aide's audio without their consent can be a felony in Florida. Tell the aide about the cameras and get consent (in writing for paid caregivers), or disable the sound. Never record in bathrooms or bedrooms. This is general information, not legal advice.
What does a home security system cost?: Do-it-yourself professional monitoring commonly runs about $10 to $30 a month, and camera cloud storage about $3 to $25 a month per camera. Cameras themselves range from about $25 to $280 each. Professionally installed systems cost more but include setup.
Do security cameras need internet?: For a faraway caregiver, yes, live view, alerts, and two-way talk need home Wi-Fi. Some cameras record locally without internet, but you can't view them remotely or get timely alerts.

Monitored, or do-it-yourself?

Professionally monitored: a company watches your alarms around the clock and can send police, fire, or an ambulance. You pay a monthly fee for that peace of mind.

Self-monitored (do-it-yourself): no company in the middle. When a sensor trips or a camera sees motion, it sends an alert to your phone and your family's phones. It usually costs less, but no one is watching except you.

Most systems are built from the same parts: a base station, a keypad, door and window sensors, motion sensors, and a siren. Many add senior-friendly extras like easy controls, monitored smoke and water alarms, and a medical alert button (see medical alert & fall detection).

Cameras, and how a faraway caregiver uses them

Three common types: indoor cameras, outdoor cameras, and video doorbells (a camera and speaker at the front door). For a caregiver who can't be there, they do two big jobs:

Check in. Open the phone app for a live view, or watch clips the camera saved when it spotted motion, to confirm Mom got up, the meal arrived, or the aide showed up on time.
Talk through it. Two-way sound lets you hear and speak through the camera or doorbell, so she can answer the door without rushing to it (which also lowers fall risk).

Live view, alerts, and two-way talk need home internet (Wi-Fi) to work.

Popular systems and rough cost

These are common do-it-yourself brands with 2026 ballpark prices. Prices change often, so confirm on the company's own site.

System	Rough cost
Ring	Cameras/doorbells plus optional plans about $5–$20/month (the plan with professional monitoring is near the top)
SimpliSafe	Self-monitoring about $10/month; professional monitoring from about $23/month
Wyze	Budget cameras from about $25–$36 each; a clip plan about $3/month
Blink	Cameras from about $30; basic plan about $3/month
Google Nest	Cameras about $100–$280 each; cloud plans about $8–$15/month

Rule of thumb: do-it-yourself professional monitoring runs about $10–$30 a month, and camera cloud storage about $3–$25 a month per camera. Professionally installed systems (ADT, Vivint) cost more but include setup and full-time monitoring.

Florida's audio-recording law: the one to know

In Florida, recording a private conversation's audio without everyone's consent can be a felony, even in your own home. Florida is an "all-party consent" state (Florida Statutes chapter 934). Video-only is usually treated differently and is generally allowed in shared areas of your home. The moment a camera also records sound, the consent rule applies.

What this means in plain terms: a camera that captures the voice of an in-home aide or a visitor, without their knowledge, in a spot where they'd expect some privacy, can cross a legal line. The safe path is simple:

Tell aides and visitors that cameras are present, and get their consent, in writing for paid caregivers.
Or turn the microphone off, and use video only.

Florida also has a separate law against secretly recording someone who is undressing or in a place like a bathroom.

This is general information, not legal advice. For your own situation, check with a Florida attorney.

Privacy and dignity

Never place cameras in bathrooms, or in the bedroom of the senior or a live-in caregiver.
Be honest with the person being cared for. Tell them the cameras are there and why. Hidden monitoring breaks trust, and with audio it can break the law.
Tell paid aides up front, ideally with written consent that covers both video and any audio.

Setting it up

Do-it-yourself systems (Ring, SimpliSafe, Wyze, Blink, Nest) are made to install yourself, mostly peel-and-stick, no drilling. They need home Wi-Fi for the remote features, and it's usually the faraway caregiver who sets them up and adds family members as users in the app.

Sources

Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press -- Florida recording law (Fla. Stat. §934.03, §810.145). https://www.rcfp.org/reporters-recording-guide/florida/
Recording Law -- Florida security-camera & audio-recording rules (2026). https://www.recordinglaw.com/party-two-party-consent-states/florida-recording-laws/security-cameras/
SafeWise -- SimpliSafe review & cost (2026). https://www.safewise.com/home-security-systems/simplisafe/
U.S. News -- SimpliSafe vs. Ring home security (2026). https://realestate.usnews.com/home-services/home-security-systems/simplisafe-vs-ring
Vivint -- home security for seniors & aging in place. https://www.vivint.com/resources/article/best-home-security-system-for-seniors
Arlo -- home monitoring & video doorbells for seniors. https://blog.arlo.com/best-security-setups/your-guide-to-home-monitoring-for-seniors/

Please read: Nature Coast Senior Home is an independent guide. We are not a law firm and this is not legal advice; the Florida recording rules here are general and can change, so confirm with a Florida attorney before you record anyone. We are not affiliated with any company listed. Prices are 2026 estimates and change often. We don't collect or sell your information.