Who is responsible for replacing my mom’s dentures if the nursing home lost them?

I wish I had an answer for you and I'm hopeful that someone will answer. I've had a similar situation when my grandmother had to spend a few weeks in a Nursing Home for rehab and antibiotic therapy, they lost my grand-mother's eyeglasses. She was in the facility for about a week and when I went for a visit I noticed the eyeglasses she had on where not hers. The nurses/aids didn't seem too concerned about finding them even when I pointed out that if she is wearing these glasses then surely there is another patient walking around with her glasses. I gave the glasses she had as they were very strong tri-focal glasses and I preferred to have her go without than to wear glasses that were not prescribed for her. A week of so later when she was released, I went to pick her up and she had those same glasses on again. I reminded them nurses/aids again that these were not her glasses, but I would let her wear them home and I would return them when I got her a new pair. The Nursing Home, never offered to pay a single penny to replace her glasses. $500.00 later, she had a new pair of glasses. Similarly, during a subsequent but brief hospital stay, the nurses in the hospital lost track of her hearing aid! I was furious because they take an inventory of everything a patient has; glasses, dentures, hearing aid, etc, yet could really care less when these inventoried items go missing. Thankfully 2 or 3 days after her release, I got a call informing me that one of the night nurses had found it. But the point is, this is a $2000.00 hearing aid that the hospital just pretty much excused themselves of any responsibility of even though they had inventoried it when she was admitted. Its quite sad and pathetic. My grandmother wears dentures too so this is another item of concern for me when she goes to the hospital. I've told her that if she has to go to the hospital, I'm going to have to take her hearing aid away from her for the duration of her stay, which is sad because her hearing is not good, but that's the only "protection" against nurses and aids that really are not attentive and/or really don't care. I really hope your mom's dentures are found. You may suggest that they pay attention to other patients who may suddenly complain of problems with their teeth as they could potentially have your mom's dentures.

My Mother's dentures were never placed in the denture cup. For the last week, the denture cup has been on her bureau not on the nightstand. She never removed her dentures during the day, only at night. I believe this is nothing more than negligence. My poor Mom has only been in this facility for 5 months, you can't imagine the things that have been lost. Good thing she doesn't have a prosthetic limb, that would be the next to go.

I worked in a nursing home for years and I can tell you that the things that get replaced are too families that yell the loudest! File a grievance with the social worker or the local ombudsman so there is a paper trail and they have to replace them as long as they are on the original inventory list when admitted.(insist for a copy for your files on admit..

The nursing home my grandmother is in just added a new product on the walls - it is a plastic plate with a large picture of teeth, ears and glasses. There is another cup that fits into the plastic piece that fits denture cups and glasses and hearing aids. The nurse said since they put them in they have seen a dramatic decrease in losses. they are called TEECUPS I think...

I have worked as a CNA for years before getting my RN and I feel the frustration. Unfortunately being an aide is a tough, mentally, and physically demanding job with relatively low pay. The certification is easy to get and renew. I guess what I'm saying as that like in any field there are completely incompetent, carless, rushed, burned out, and simply uncaring employees. Though this surly isn't the norm and those who are good are clearly spotted, it takes just one person, one time for something like this to happen. (or God forbid something MUCH worse) Being in that situation when I did shift change or bed check or report I would visually identify the person, know when they were last toileted/changed. I want to know how they ate that day, any change in mood, behavior, anything worth mentioning. I also make sure they have their "valuable items" ie dentures, any assisted device really but especially any with significant monetary value. I have come across MULTIPLE times when a residents dentures have gone missing. I ask where are they? Who got them dressed this morning? Who last saw them wearing them or who took them out the night before? Search the room, tell the charge nurse, tell housekeeping, laundry, dietary. Somehow NO ONE KNOWS! Not always the case as often they do turn up, and too often other residents wander, hoard, hide, and unintentionally take things. I have seen infinite behavior that includes, rummaging, repetitive movement. Ambulatory residents with Dementia or other specific behavior ideally should stay in Memory Care/Lock Down/Special unites. Either an entire facility catering to this need or a care community including multiple levels of senior care. ALL NURSING HOMES ARE NOT EQUAL. A few carless actions can result in sever loss in many ways. If you have the ability to do so, be selective, talk to the staff, (a good idea would be to go out and ask questions to staff of smoke breaks, a lot of hot gossip and loose lips guaranteed) If you feel something is wrong it probably is. The squeaky wheel does get the grease. Your reluctance to give up or let it go could help weed out the unfit staff, and prevent other losses. Most people, I know, genuinely care about the residents well being and do their absolute best. It's obvious in a short amount of time which employee genuinely gets satisfaction of caring for others. Even the most difficult person suffering with a disability deserves great care. GOOD LUCK! COMPLAIN! If you have a family member who is good at confrontation, (loosing your cool wont help your case though) have them help you. Talk to the DON, Executive Director, social worker, and ombudsmen. If you see neglect, or abuse, it is your responsibility to stop it, and report it. Love life and Love geriatrics!!!

My Mom has been in a nursing home since August 2014. I had no idea that is was the norm for things to go missing. I, like so many others on this blog, mark every item of her clothing with indelible ink, but it seems to make little if any difference. She is always wearing something when I see her, but a huge percentage of the time the clothing is not hers. My biggest dilemma is the hearing aids. She had already lost one before she went into the nursing home, and soon thereafter, the other was also missing. A nurse found it on a tray but it went missing again and has not been found. I bought her new hearing aids - not the super expensive ones but not cheap. I cannot bring myself to deliver then to the nursing home, because I know the chances of them being secure are slim to none. I see my Mom 3-4 times per week. I am thinking perhaps I will bring them with me only for my visits and then take them back with me, but I think that will upset her and make her protest (like a child does) - Oh, I won't lose them! This phenomenon related to nursing homes seems ubiquitous, and I have now let go of being angry, upset, and sad about the missing items. If I buy her any clothing now it is from Goodwill (which is a good cause anyway, so it's a good thing!). I have spoken to administration numerous times. They say they will look for the items, but I suspect the problem is too large for there to really be a good answer. Otherwise the nursing does a super job with my Mom. I'm actually glad to know that it seems to happen everywhere and not just where my Mom lives. Oy.

I have a friend who is a care cooridnator nurse for a hospital. When her mother w/dementia was in a NH, the NH lost her dentures. My friend INSISTED that they replace them - and they did!

So - the clear message here is to NOT ACCEPT this loss as YOUR problem - make it clear that you consider it THEIRS. Insist that they replace the lost item asap! You must document - in writing - this loss and your insistence/expectation that they replace it/them! (And be sure to keep a copy for your files!) You may also find that you have a better "response" if you also CC APS, your state Dept of Health, Senior Services, whomever could have an interest! - on the letter.

BOBBY: Most nursing homes are NOT responsible for 'personal effects and prostethics (dentures included). BUT if the person is of diminished capacity and needs help with all personal care, then stipulation should have been made regarding these items.

My mother also 'lost' her dentures, not sure what really happened but I have my suspicions, and the nursing home DID replace her dentures since my mother was completely unable to care for herself, but I am sure this is NOT the norm.

To be honest with you, I really wish they had NOT replaced her dentures. She ate better without them, she was happier without them, and they always seemed to bother her mouth. My mother ended up with THRUSH in her mouth, which I think contributed to her further decline. (but I am off on a tangent)

TALK to the Administrator or Director about what the nursing home does and does NOT cover! Things go missing or are 'reappropriated' all the time in nursing homes. It DOESN'T make it right, but I have seen it many times where my mother was.

If you get her dentures replaced, have the dentist ENGRAVE them with her name so if they are found, won't be thrown away by the staff.

p.s. EVERY time I read about these problems I am reminded that 'we' need to work on making sure that nursing homes and facilities that care for our elders/us are the best they can be!! As the next aging residents in these facilities (GOD FORBID) we have to ensure that these facilities get BETTER!

Thanks for all the information given by all. My mother has alzheimer's and they have misplaced one complete set plus two upper dentures and they told us they were not responsible for any personal items (all personal items) that are brought into the facility. Her underwear goes missing, body lotions, hair accessories you name and it goes missing. These rules of NOT responsible for personal items gives the staff the authority to STEAL anything they want with no consequences. It's just immoral.

I was not finished last Question. I reported this to Quality management while on. 8 mg diluted, 10 mg IR. Opana, 2mgs klonipin & injection of 50 mgs of an help with my nausea. When the Quality nurse took my statement. I could hardly keep my eyes open. My husband called about my dentures as the dentist had advised . They told him to have me do them & they would reimburse for the cost. I received a letter a couple days before my appointment saying they are not responsible. I have talked to the high ups the executive team & they said they were not there so they would have to go by what Quality control told them. They were not their either. The lady Katie who was over my case said she didn't even believe my dentures were on my tray. I have been soo depressed & feel so ugly I have not left my house except to go to my doctors appoints. I look like a 85 year old women. What can I do? I do not want pureed food forever.