My dad passed away on Oct. 1 in a memory care unit. The nursing home has already charged his account for the full month of October. They told my mom it's their policy not to refund the money, regardless of what day they die. She went there today to get his belongings out of his room, and the room is already being staged for another occupant, while his stuff is still in the room. Once they fill the room with another patient, they will be getting two payments, my dad and the new patient, for the same month. Is this legal and/or ethical?
I remembering having to scramble to find someone to move out Dad's furniture after he passed, all his books, his TV, etc. and put them in my garage until I could catch my breath on what to do next.
I can't remember for sure, but I think Dad either got back part of the rent not used or if it was his security deposit. This was a decade ago.
My mom would've accepted this, but only got upset when she went there today and found they had the room lit up, door open, with a vacancy sign. My dad's stuff was still in the room and his bed barely cold yet. My mom removed some of his valuable things but left the rest. She said no one's gonna rent that room until my dad's month is up.
One of the staff told my mom that the director's job is on the line due to rooms not being filled, so she's under pressure to fill the rooms quick. I feel it's unethical at the very least to collect rent twice for the same room. I will mention to her about talking to an ombudsman. Thanks!
Good for your mother! If she paid for the month then it's her right to not allow your father's former room to be rented.
Too damn bad if it puts pressure on the facility director to fill every room and their job could be possibly on the line because if it. Why should your family get ripped off to make the facility director's job easier?
She can make a deal with your mother on how much will be refunded, then your mother will get the rest of your late father's things out and let the room get another resident.
If you paid up the rent in an apartment for the month, the landlord can't move someone else in, charge them for the mothn, and also charge you.
Most Memory Care Assisted Living facilities are privately owned so they can do as they see fit and write contracts accordingly. They don't let morality doesn't cut into their bottom line.
My condolences on your loss.