Care homes and possesions

Gavin83

It's just as likely that it's another resident who has stolen it, maybe without even realising what they've done. I've heard a number of stories of residents stealing items from others.

I would suggest asking for a copy of the agreement which cuts their responsibilities for the theft/loss, but I wouldn't be surprised if such a clause did exist. Did you read the agreement when you signed it?

You could report it to the police but Im not sure what could be done. I would also suggest reporting it to the local authority she was placed with as they are able to investigate on your behalf.

hollydays

So sorry for your loss.
When did you last see the tv?I think it is very difficult to prevent theft but there should be procedures in place about safeguarding things.As regards the brooch,surely her relatives were advised it needed keeping somewhere safe in this high risk environment? What was the original advice?Why was her wedding ring cut off her finger,is this standard agreed practice?

dexter_fan

Firstly, sorry for your loss. I agree with other posters that it is possible for a ring to go missing, but a TV?

1) Report the matter to the police. They may not be able to physically do anything, but you will get a crime number. This is needed if you can claim on an insurance, and will also help if other residents have had things go 'missing'
2) You mother would have had a Social Worker / Care Manager (even if only a Duty Officer). Let them know as they can log this (again if there have been other incidents)
3) Your Council will have a Safeguarding Adults policy (part of the Social Work team). Ensure they are notified as they have a Duty of Care to the residents.
4) If you are really still unhappy, notify CSCI. This is the regulation body that regulate all Care Homes/Residential Homes.

DF

tallyhoh

They are obliged to carry insurance. Report it to the Poice & ask them who their insurance comany is.

My FIL "lost" his wedding ring, there is no way it could have fell off. The carers also help themselves to his choccies & toiletries.

tandraig

hun - you have to report this to the police, even if they cant do anything you need the report number. the care home must carry insurance for the residents possesions. it makes no sense to me that they say they arent liable! I am so sorry this has happened - as another poster says - most care homes are scrupulous about valuables! this one sounds very suspicious. make a fuss as loud as you can. and tell the home 'they are liable and your solicitor will be in touch' then see if things turn up!
I am so sorry about your mum - its a difficult enough time without this extra hassle.

AsknAnswer

I worked in care many moons ago. I worked in many places but the place I stayed at the longest was impressive with their care over the belongings of residents. We had to do an inventory sheet (the things were massive) whenever a resident was admitted of what belongings they had brought with them, with the Power of Attorney/next of kin signature and the nurse's signiture. If the resident was of sound mind, he or she also signed it. This wasn't just done for valuables, but also for clothing, and any new items brought in also had to go on the inventory and be signed for by the person in charge and the person who had brought the item. Anything someone later removed by the family had to be "signed out" on the inventory and anything that we wanted to throw out like a nightdress due to wear and tear, we had to get a signature from the family again. Every tiny thing was documented.

If a resident had to go into hospital, two members of staff and a relative if present (or the person in charge if relative not present) and had to "sign out" any items that were going with the resident.

When a resident left, or died the inventory was gone through by staff to ensure everything was there, and anything that was missing we had one week to locate it (as some residents would "stash" things, and "steal" things and we were prevented from allowing residents to lock their doors when out of their rooms by the regulatory body, who insisted all locks on doors be removed) and if it could not be found, the family were advised to go to the reception area where they could make a claim against any missing items.

I worked there for 5 years and the only things that went missing and were neve recovered were the odd pair of socks or other items of clothing, books and the like here and there which families generally accepted as accidental loss. I never heard of anything of value going missing and not turning up when searched for.

They were very strict in that home, any member of staff caught so much as eating a resident's chocolate without being offered it would be out the door on gross misconduct - they took the matter VERY seriously, and quite rightly so. An elderly person and their families should be able to rest easy when they are in a care facility not have to worry about things being stolen.

I think this is absolutely disgusting and I would follow it up. There may be a clause in the contract which states they will not accept a claim for theft, but theft is still a criminal offence and there is nothing stopping you from reporting it to the police - they aren't immune from prosecution, though I suspect that proving the theft will be difficult as two sources of corroboration and a suspect would likely be required for the police to ask the CPS to prosecute. No harm in getting on to the police though and seeing even if their presence would be enough for the home to miraculously "find" things.