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I don’t believe this is a laundry mix-up, nor do I believe it’s another resident who has taken the clothes. Every item was securely attached and labelled.

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Kerrikez,

Have you been able to rectify this problem?
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Reply to JoAnn29
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This is a chronic problem..not just nursing homes but in MC also..moms unit residents “shop” each others rooms and residents at moms place do little fashion shows sharing each others clothes {I witnessed this}. We have half the unit residents that are mobile. I decided to shop consignment and Goodwill for mom’s clothes. Family buys cheap beads for jewelry. Also “agency” staff mix up clothing delivery to resident rooms. I no longer allow myself to get concerned about “lost” items. Mom’s items are all marked…some stuff comes back weeks later! As a retired NH clinical staff member this has always been an issue. I choose to look at what staff does right! Mom is relaxed, peaceful and laughs often. She shows affection for many staff members. I am happier!
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Reply to Sadinroanokeva
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It has been said that the aides will take another residents clothes if their charge has no clothes. I have found my Moms clothes in her roomates closet. When she was in rehab, she had to share a closet and the laundry aide would just throw the clothes in not keeping them separated.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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At my late husband's nursing home, lost or missing clothing was a serious problem until they installed locks on the closets and dressers. One key went to the people distributing laundry and the other to the spouse/child/sibling responsible for paying the resident's expenses. Yes, I labeled all his clothes (even shoes and socks). Some people also took their loved one's clothing home to wash/dry it and bring it back. I took my husband to church and out to lunch sometimes, to his own doctor/dentist/optometrist, and sometimes to a sports bar to watch football and basketball games. Sometimes weather required him to wear a coat. I *never* left his coats there. I brought the appropriate coat with me and took it home. He had some nice coats (Lands End and LL Bean) that I didn't want to replace if they were missing.
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Reply to swmckeown76
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JoAnn29 May 29, 2025
I took Moms coats home too. Figured I would be the one taking her out so would bring it with me.
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Take pictures of all replacement clothing in addition to labelling everything. Make sure to also keep price tags. When things go missing, write to administration with photo and copy of price tag. Ask them to either replace the item or pay you so you an purchase another one.
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Reply to Taarna
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I totally agree with the person who says talk to Administration. Even better, talk to the Head Nurse.

Could it be that your Mom doesn't believe her clothes are her clothes, therefore is rejecting being clothed in those clothes?

I'm assuming that she did not have expensive or clothes that were difficult to wash. In other words, all her clothes should be able to be thrown in the washer and run through a dryer. My Mom wore T-shirts and long pants all the time. If we needed her to "dress up" prior to an event, we'd bring in the clothes just prior to the event, help her change into them, then help her change out of them after the event. No jewelry or accessories while she was at the facility.

We didn't lose "clothes" at her facility. We lost a cup, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste tubes....all which were easily replaceable.

....so whose clothes is she wearing if all of her clothes have been stolen?
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Reply to ChoppedLiver
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My friend labeled her husband's every clothing item with big neat capital letters right across the front with a Sharpie. Everyone in and out of his memory care unit knows his name right away, and he can't talk, so that was good. It is clear that he is BILL. Since he never leaves there and will reside there for the duration of his life, it doesn't matter if it looks odd.

She became tired of replacing his clothing, and now it all comes back from the in-house laundry in the correct basket.
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Reply to Fawnby
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Time for a meeting with Administration about lost items and the frequency, and about what they intend to do for replacement of said things.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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My Moms facility put her name on ever piece of clouthing and socks. In the beginning I washed Moms clothes but later I found the laundry was very good there. I did take pictures of everything I took in even her glasses. The one item that disappeared all the time was a nightshirt. I would tell the laundress and it would be back in Moms closet. Mom shared a room and many a time I found her clothes in the other persons closet.

There really shouldn't be any reason all her clothing is missing.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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My suggestion...after you talk with administration about the missing clothing.
NEVER buy new clothes.
Shop resale stores.
A few reasons for this.
Residents "shop" in others rooms.
The laundry at most facilities is pretty aggressive and can be pretty hard on clothing.
Even with items marked with the residents name, most markings eventually come off or fade. (Unless you want to make the name really noticeable so no one wants the clothing)

Check the facilities "lost and found" area. When my Husband was in rehab one of his blankets went missing, they had a ROOM full of "missing or lost" items.

I would also keep the clothing to a minimum at the facility. A few changes of clothing then every few weeks bring in another few outfits and exchange for what is there (or what is left🤣)
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Reply to Grandma1954
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BurntCaregiver May 23, 2025
@Grandma

It's up to the facility to make sure no one is "shopping" in someone else's room. It's their job to supervise the residents at all times.

Also, if you've got a person in LTC do their laundry yourself whenever possible.
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See if there is a social worker available to speak with. This Happened with My Brother , Multiple items stolen even after Being labeled .
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Reply to KNance72
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I would schedule a face to face meeting with the Manager.

I would try to stay on topic & solution focused but put the *ball* in the Manager's court so to speak. Eg Mom is missing many clothes. I realise they can be laundry mistakes & residents that wander. But I also know staff can steal.

I will be buying my Mother new clothes, labelling them & I EXPECT these to REMAIN in her possession. I will be CLOSELY watching to check if every item is accounted for.

Then ask the Manager directly: What are YOU going to do to ensure my Mother's clothes remain in her possession?
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Reply to Beatty
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JuliaH May 21, 2025
I agree that the wanderers are pretty much to blame but they can't help themselves. I'd be pretty leary about bringing the staff into this even though it could be true. You don't need vengeful help looking after your loved ones.
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