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msdaisy Asked January 2014

Has anyone experienced theft in Assisted Living and how did you deal with it?

My Mom left her bag in a common area and when an aid returned it to her it was missing $80. I had brought her money earlier so I know exactly how much was in there and so did she. She didnt want me to mention it to anyone for fear of repercussion but I'm very upset and disappointed that someone would do this to her. There are cameras in all common areas but not in the elevator which is where I'm thinking the theft took place. I mentioned it to the director but it still has me feeling very uneasy. How common exactly is this? The place is beautiful and the people seem very nice but now my Mom does not feel safe there at all and thinks everyone is trying to rob her. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. This is still a new experience for us.

brandywine1949 Jan 2014
Oh, yes a lot of times it is a staff member.

msdaisy Jan 2014
It's very sad and from what my Mom tells me, the other ladies talk about having that done to them too. I'm so heart sick over this, I know it wasnt alot of money but it speaks volumes about a persons character and thats not the type of person I want to trust my Mom's care to. I will be following up with the director on this as I want to ensure this doesn't get "overlooked." It was defintely not another resident, it was a worker who took it. The time lapse from when she lost it and when it was returned would make it impossible for it to have been another resident. When Christmas comes next year, and we make out a check for the gift fund, I will most certainly be including a note saying sorry this should have been more but one of your team members decided to keep your share all for themself. Let them question who the thief is amongst them.

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brandywine1949 Jan 2014
We have experienced it in the NH where Mom is. I send her a letter or a card once a week. When I get there, I expect to see them in the drawer or in the letter box in Mom's room I asked the nurse about it and she said the residents wander in the rooms and steal stuff, esp pretty stuff. This one lady in particular wanders in. She even wanders in when we are sitting there visiting and helps herself. It is a sad situation to get so old that you don't know what you are doing.

msdaisy Jan 2014
Just that she wild review the cameras I haven't heard anything since

Care4Mama Jan 2014
What did the director say?

Care4Mama Jan 2014
I'm thinking the elevators need cameras........

Care4Mama Jan 2014
Terrible! This is one of the things I'm concerned about when mom goes to assisted living soon. Sad to say, but I think it best to give her little cash.....if any.....and if she needs something....I will purchase it for her.....and if she's going somewhere....arrange for her to get the money outside of the center. Not that this would work for everyone......I understand this. It's a real shame some bad apples out there have to give us even more to be concerned about on top of everything else. No wonder, msdaisy, your mom's upset! I would be upset! When I toured this facility I asked this question and they told me to leave very little with mom.......so sorry this happened to your mom........

msdaisy Jan 2014
Well I might have thought the same thing except I had out the money there less than two hours earlier and my mom is VERY sharp when it comes to her money so I know she didn't misplace or spend it. I'm just really bothered by this even happening.

pamstegma Jan 2014
My mom is always thinking people are trying to rob her, but in fact, she misplaces things and forgets that she already spent the money.

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