Care homes and possesions

MercMan

My Mum died a fortnight ago. I have been asking where her engagement ring is, her wedding ring (which I have) was cut off her finger!. Oh, the care home manager said, "we must have lost it it". Nicked it more like. It was worth £2K in today's money as it had a total of 2 carats of diamonds on it. I said do you carry insurance against lost or theft? No they replied as the agreement signed for my mum to reside in the home has a clause which exonerates them from any claim for lost or theft! I also noticed that broach I gave her one Xmas has gone missing and her Sony telly in her room has also been "lost". My Solicitor says these are part if her Estate and the "theft" should be reported to the Police.

My mum suffered from Alzheimers for last 5 years of her life. I think its disgusting that the care home seems to be able take £500 pw in fees and not have a duty to look after her possessions.

Laz123

It's all part of life, I'm afraid. The carers who come and look after my mum at home have taken most of her jewellery over the years.

Step dad died in hospital and watch and ring went awol.

I'm not sure the police will do anything if you report it.

It's unlikely you'll get it back.

Perhaps a story in the local press can warn others about the home.

Sooler

as your solicitor advises ... report it to the police.

Ivory_Tinkler

First of all, sorry to hear of your loss - this must be a very upsetting time for you.

Tell the care home that you will be reporting this to the police and make sure you do so. When my nan died, all seemed ok with her belongings but my mum remembered some jewellery some months later and went back to see if anyone knew about it. When they checked, they found it in an envelope in the safe.

If the care home manager admits to "losing" the ring this sounds very suspicious. Was it given to the staff to put in safe keeping or was it kept in your mum's room?

fergies_army

Were the police called upon your mothers death or did she pass away in hospital or was her GP present? If the police were called most forces remove valuables to avoid problems like this, this will be documented accordingly.

oldhaggis

You have my deepest sympathy MercMan, you really shouldn’t be burdened with this additional worry at such a difficult and stressful time.

My own mum was an Alzheimer’s sufferer and resident in a care home for over 9 years. The members of staff were scrupulous about residents’ possessions. Whenever mum was admitted to hospital they would remove her watch, engagement ring and gold necklace and put them in a named envelope in the safe. They would enter this in the daybook and the entry would be countersigned by two members of staff. If I left money to put in the safe for mum’s day-to-day necessities, they would provide me with a duplicate receipt, which I also had to sign. Receipts for all her purchases were placed in her envelope. Members of staff were not allowed to accept gifts from residents and any gifts from relatives such as chocs and biscuits were shared amongst everyone.

I certainly would report the lost items to the police. Hopefully, the items might even miraculously turn up. If nothing else, this might alert the police as to what is going on in the home and deter the perpetrators from preying on any more vulnerable elderly people and their bereaved families.

olias

It is just conceivable that a ring could be lost, but a television.....

The items have been stolen, pure and simple, report it to the police.

Olias

sillyvixen

olias wrote: »

It is just conceivable that a ring could be lost, but a television.....

my thoughts exactly!

McKneff

I would advise the home that you are informing the police of the missing items.

And ask that they inform all their staff of this.

The 'missing' things might just turn up out of the blue.

McKneff

Also have you seen this signed declaration that they say that they are not liable. I would ask them for a copy. If they cant provide it, sue them.

Anthillmob

firstly sorry for your loss.

secondly, surely their insurance covers loss and theft under general, i sure if te care homes communal items were stolen or went up in smoke they would be covered so assume contents insurance applies to all and not just the main home. if that makes sense.

when my nan died a member of my own family went round to my nans [she died in respite care] and took everything of value and ransacked the house looking for money. her wedding ring was also taken. like son like mother, his own mother when she was alive fleeced my nan dry.

disgusting behaviour but unable to prove.