Have you ever experienced ‘lost’ items at a care home?

When my mother was in respite care, the money – not a lot – that I had put in her purse for the hairdresser and any special treat that she wanted disappeared. I didn't do anything about it when I collected her to bring her home but I was cross. There was also an occasion when she had her handbag with her when she was admitted to hospital. When I came to collect her to bring her home, her purse was empty.

Special jewellery, in particular, and other possessions are another matter and I think you should pursue this matter.

Definitely report to the police This is appalling and needs addressing or could be replicated to others
My mum had various items of clothing go missing but she didn’t have anything of value with her
What a shame to add this to the horrid time you go through when losing a parent
I do hope they take you seriously as it’s a VERY serious situation

You have great strength and it must be hard to deal with the disappearance of something like your mum's rings at a time when there is so much else to attend to and you are grieving. I hope these items can be found and that it has all been a mistake, but you are right to pursue it and I think the home should be giving you more support .... for their own sake as well as yours.

Yes, please do report this serious breach. The CQC should be told irrespective of outcome and the police if the items are not returned to you immediately. No one should be faced with this situation especially when bereaved. I’m sorry you have this additional pressure to cope with and can only hope all is soon resolved.

How distressing - it's sad enough to lose your mum without all this added worry. Definitely it needs reporting to someone higher up - small items do get mislaid sometimes - my mum was forever losing her hearing aid which completely disappeared eventually and also a hearing amplifier I bought vanished and was eventually found in the residents lounge. As she was immobile and unable to talk I don't know how it got there. A TV is not that easily misplaced however or missing information from a file which sounds very suspicious. If you don't get anywhere with a higher authority I would contact the police - it might not just your mum's stuff - there could be other residents possessions misappropriated too.

I agree. You need to get some action on this within 24 hours or you inform them you are going to the police.

I am so sorry for you. This is appalling and I feel you should definitely take it further. You could involve the Police, I think. I suppose it's a question of proving things though.

How can a television be mislaid?

Report it to the police.

Good advice here - this outstanding home hasn’t asked me to sign anything....yet! They took the photos when Mum moved in. It was really challenging to get her into care but SS were adamant it had to be done. If I’d tried to remove her rings we would never have got her into the car!

She was moved into a smaller quieter room a few months ago and we are missing all kinds of items that I daftly assumed has been put in store. Funnily enough it is everything that was nice and desirable that is missing.....

I am going to escalate this up to the top bod because the manager of the dementia unit was totally unable to assist me or shed any light on the whereabouts of Mums contractual file!

Do you have copies of the photos that were taken, and put in a file? If so, very often, I believe, especially if digital, they can contain date and time evidence, to show when you took the pictures. Looking at your post again, it sounds as though the care home may have photographed the items.

Mamissimo, this is outrageous. I would contact the manager as soon as possible. And would think about contacting the police. If people know this is being investigated things might reappear.
And at the very least will deter people from stealing things in the future.

Sign nothing, complain to home and CQC, if nothing is “suddenly found” contact police.

I’m sorry you are having to deal with this on top of your loss.

Either the items are "in a safe place" & subsequently mislaid but seems unlikely as it includes a TV or they have been misappropriated/ stolen. The TV is odd though!
Certainly don't sign anything that suggests you are ok with situation.
They must have a complaints procedure which you could use but if you think it is theft it needs to be reported to police.

I would never have allowed those things to be taken to the care home but it's easy to be wise after the event.
My H recently had 2 weeks respite care and goes again next week.
Apart from some clothes which went missing and some that came home with him which were not his we had no problems.He took a cheap watch and doesn't wear any jewellery so none to lose.
Only mishap,his wallet got put through the washer and his £20 note which is all the money he ever carries as he doesn't understand money any more,came out pale blue.

The CQC take these things very seriously and so should the home.

We recently went through a similar situation, although the resident was still alive. The resident's room was searched, but no luck. Miraculously after the Manager was informed - by us - the rings suddenly appeared in the resident's room!! This left a bad taste and was a shame because the care had been very good.

In your case, I would definitely take it further, especially as multiple items have gone awol. Do you have copies of the photographs that were taken?

This would be taken extremely seriously in the Care Home I visit as Chaplain. We have policies and procedures in place to deal with items going 'missing' as set out below:
If there is any evidence or suspicion that theft has occurred, the issue must be thoroughly investigated by [named person]. All action taken in response to allegations, evidence or investigations of theft must be carried out in accordance with the home's established policies and procedures. Actions taken must be recorded and reported, if necessary, to the CQC.
Where there is evidence of theft then the case should be reported to the police at the earliest opportunity and the home should follow the agreed disciplinary procedures.

In your shoes I would ask to see the relevant policies and procedures, whether the missing items are covered by the Home's insurance and, lastly whether they intend to report the missing items to the police. I would be prepared to act decisively if you feel you are being fobbed off and most certainly would be prepared to report this to the CQC and the police. Do NOT sign anything until this is resolved; the home will most likely want you to sign their indemnity form to say that items from the deceased have been released to you.

You would be perfectly within your rights to take this further.
They should have a written, and regularly reviewed policy regarding other peoples' belongings.
I think I would write to the home manager in the first instance.

Were taken! We need an edit!