What Families Should Ask About Nursing Home Technology in Ohio
Each year, thousands of nursing home residents suffer serious, preventable falls, and many of these incidents are never reported. According to an Office of Inspector General (OIG) review, more than 42,000 Medicare-enrolled residents were hospitalized for major fall injuries over the course of one year, and nearly 2,000 of them died. The report also found that facilities with lower staffing and poorer quality ratings had higher fall rates, and that almost half of these serious falls went unreported to federal oversight systems.
These numbers paint a stark picture of how vulnerable residents remain, even in an age of expanding nursing home technology. From fall-detection sensors to artificial-intelligence monitoring, facilities are increasingly turning to new tools to improve safety. However, as an Ohio nursing home abuse lawyer and former registered nurse, I’ve learned that no amount of technology can replace human care, compassion, and oversight.
If you have a loved one in a nursing home here in Ohio, you may soon encounter one or more of these technologies. Here’s what you should know, as well as the questions you should ask to help protect your family member’s safety and dignity.
Read more: More Elderly Are Dying from Nursing Home Falls: What Ohio Families Need to Know
What is New in Nursing Home Technology in Ohio?
Healthcare is changing quickly. Around the world, researchers are testing robots like Nurabot, an AI-powered assistant designed to deliver medications and help nurses with repetitive tasks. Closer to home, Ohio has become a testing ground for technology in elder care, from sensors that detect falls to video monitoring laws that empower families to keep watch.
According to the Ohio Department of Aging, more than 30 skilled nursing facilities across the state have participated in a pilot program using artificial intelligence to prevent falls. The program monitors patterns of movement, predicting when residents may need assistance getting up or moving around.
At the same time, Esther’s Law now allows residents and families in Ohio to install cameras in nursing home rooms with consent. This is one of the most powerful forms of technology for transparency and accountability, but it must be used thoughtfully to protect privacy.
Technology can be helpful. But it’s also changing how care is delivered — and that shift raises important ethical, legal, and emotional questions for families.
Learn more: Choosing a Nursing Home in Ohio: Frequently Asked Questions
What Types of Technology are Appearing in Nursing Homes?
Families are often surprised to learn just how many new devices and systems are being introduced into nursing homes today. Here are a few examples already in use here in Ohio and across the U.S.:
- AI and Sensor-Based Fall Detection. Systems like VirtuSense and Foresite use motion sensors and AI algorithms to predict falls before they happen. The technology can alert staff when a resident gets out of bed or moves unsafely.
Concern: These systems rely on staff to respond to alerts promptly. If a facility is understaffed, even the best technology won’t prevent injury. - Wearable Health Trackers. Wristbands and clip-on monitors can track heart rate, activity levels, or oxygen saturation. Many facilities employ these wearable and environmental sensors are part of “aging-in-place” technology to support independent living.
Concern: Devices can malfunction or go unworn, and staff may not have time to monitor every alert. - Cameras and Monitoring Systems. Thanks to Esther’s Law, Ohio families can install cameras in resident rooms to help detect neglect or nursing home abuse. Some facilities also use hallway or common-area cameras for safety.
Concern: Cameras can only record what happens, but don’t prevent harm on their own. Families must review footage and communicate concerns with staff and administrators. - Voice-Activated Assistants. Devices like Amazon Alexa or Google Nest can help residents call for help or control their environment.
Concern: For residents with dementia, hearing or speech impairments, these tools may not work reliably, and privacy is always a concern when microphones are “always on.” - Electronic Health Records and Medication Management Software. Digital systems reduce paperwork and can help prevent medication errors.
Concern: Software issues, data-entry mistakes, or lack of staff training can still lead to serious harm. Further, residents’ families rarely have access to those digital records.
Read more: Are Nursing Homes Responsible for Falls?
What Questions Should Families Ask About Nursing Home Technology?
Before placing your loved one in a facility that uses new technology, or when you hear that one is being introduced, ask these important questions:
- What specific technologies are being used, and how do they work?
Facilities should be transparent about whether they use cameras, sensors, or AI monitoring. - Does this technology replace human supervision, or supplement it?
The answer should always be “supplement.” Technology should free caregivers to spend more time with residents, not less. - Who monitors the data or alerts?
Ask whether trained staff are assigned to respond immediately when the system detects a problem. - What is the average response time to an alert?
Delayed responses can turn minor incidents into tragedies. - How is privacy protected?
This is especially important for cameras, microphones, and wearable devices. Families should understand where data is stored, who can access it, and whether residents can opt out. - How often is the system checked or tested for errors?
Technology is only reliable if it’s maintained. Ask for the facility’s inspection or testing schedule. - If a system fails, who is responsible?
Even when a device malfunctions, the nursing home remains legally responsible for ensuring your loved one’s safety.
Read more: Understanding Long-Term Care Costs: A Guide for Ohio Families
The Promise and the Risk
I believe that, when implemented responsibly, technology can improve the quality of life for residents and ease the burden on overworked caregivers. But it can also create a false sense of security. A fall detection sensor may help, but it cannot comfort a frightened resident. A camera may record a problem, but it can’t intervene in the moment. And an algorithm cannot interpret pain, loneliness, or fear.
Even as Ohio participates in AI pilot programs to prevent falls, the national data tell a sobering story. The OIG’s 2025 review found over 40,000 Medicare-enrolled residents hospitalized after major falls in just one year, and nearly half of those incidents were never reported. That tells us that while technology may detect a fall, it cannot prevent neglect, understaffing, or failure to act.
In my experience, many cases of nursing home neglect occur not because technology fails, but because people fail to act on the information it provides. That’s why nursing home safety in Ohio still depends on strong staffing, training, and oversight, not just new gadgets or AI systems.
Protecting Your Loved One in a Tech-Driven World
If your mom or dad lives in a facility using advanced monitoring technology, stay involved. Visit often. Ask questions. Review any available reports. And don’t hesitate to speak up if something feels wrong, whether that’s missed medications, unexplained bruises, or changes in behavior.
You can also review your loved one’s resident rights under Ohio law and learn how to report suspected elder abuse. Technology may evolve, but your family’s right to safe, compassionate care never changes.
Final Thoughts
I’m encouraged by Ohio’s innovation — from AI fall-prevention programs to the legal protections of Esther’s Law. But these tools are only as effective as the people who use them. Whether through technology or personal attention, nursing homes must remain focused on what truly matters: protecting our loved ones with dignity, empathy, and vigilance.
If you believe your loved one’s nursing home is using technology in place of proper care — or if you suspect neglect despite these systems — I can help you understand your legal options.
My nursing home abuse firm proudly serves families throughout Ohio, including Cleveland, Dayton, and Cincinnati. Together, we can hold facilities accountable and make sure technology serves its true purpose: keeping residents safe.
