My mother's expensive, uninsured ring disappeared from her hand while she was recovering in her assisted living apt. from pneumonia. She was sleeping deeply and wouldn't wake up if someone twisted it off of her finger. Any suggestions how we can get remuneration from her facility? I already filed a police report and it didn't go anywhere. She had mild/med dementia but never, ever took that ring off.
That (unfortunately) being said there is a HUGE lesson for all to learn. DO NOT LEAVE EXPENSIVE items with your loved one (even IF it is insured). If they cannot LIVE without 'an item' get an inexpensive replica of the ring, necklace, clock, etc.
I spent MANY MANY hours in the Alzheimer's unit when my mother was there, and saw how INNOCENTLY another resident would come into her room, and pick up an item thinking it was theirs! Or just to 'hold' it or wear it. Glasses, sweaters, shoes, even blouses and undies 'went missing' from my mothers AND other's rooms, and to be honest, it was not malicious intent by the residents and certainly a near impossiblity for the staff to keep track of where items belonged that were NOT labeled. WHEW... long sentence!
We labeled EVERYTHING Mom had there and inventoried her clothing, even PHOTOGRAPHED her closet to keep track of things.
With regards to jewelry, we did in fact replace the rings she cherished with rings that would not be a financial LOSS if they were lost!
Her dentures went missing and since Mom was unable to get around on her own, the facility did agree to pay for a replacement denture, BUT, and this is a BIG but, cautioned us that her new dentures should be 'engraved' with her name.
There may be some liability on their part, but I would not count on it. Have them check clothing, with laundry, and even with other residents, but I wouldn't count on finding it. I am so sorry.
I keep an indelible marker in a certain spot in my mom's drawer to do or redo her name on anything that needs it - and believe it or not, on one occasion the MARKER was taken and not returned by someone! All her drawers are gone through and rearranged, maybe not every time I visit or even every week, but even labeling drawers and keeping a sign up that we do Mom's laundry does not work all the time. I'm told that's because some facility staff can't read.
I don't believe it is wrong to think that we can leave valuables with our loved ones and expect them to be there when we return to visit, but I don't believe it will always happen. Be careful what you leave with your loved ones and DOCUMENT any personal effects for your piece of mind, and have someone at the 'facility' aware of these items too. If they cannot assume liability (this will most like be the case) then DO NOT leave the items at the facility! This is a sad fact, but a true one.
If ONE person learns from our mistakes, then all is not in vain.
If she's still at that facility, take longs walk around every time you visit to see if someone's wearing it (staff included). The thief might be stupid enough to flaunt it. Don't make a scene and confront the individual, as s/he might give it to someone else to hide it; and then it'll disappear altogether. Just bring a staff member to the individual and ask if the ring is part of that person's inventory. If it isn't, you're in luck.
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