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Loss of personal items in long-term care
facilities, like any institution, is a problem.
If your relative has items that are valuable or that have an emotional
attachment, please consider carefully before you take them into the nursing
home.
Such things as wedding rings, watches,
indeed any jewellery, valuable trinkets or pictures are all subject to
loss. As people age, they typically lose
weight and with weight loss comes the prospect of rings or watches falling off.
If your loved one has always worn their
wedding ring, consider getting them a replacement ring rather than risking
losing the original one. Once it’s lost,
it’s gone forever and it can be very upsetting for the remaining spouse.
If it’s important to you, you can ask your
religious leader to bless the replacement ring.
If a watch has always been part of your loved one’s attire, perhaps
purchase a cheaper one or a different one rather than lose a family heirloom or
connection. The pearl necklace that your
mother always wore can be replaced by a simulated pearl necklace.
Other items such as false teeth,
prescription eyeglasses, electric shavers and of course clothing, should all be
clearly labelled. Most of the nursing
homes will label any clothing especially if it will be laundered by the
facility. The false teeth and eyeglasses
should be clearly labelled (the denturist will do that for the teeth) and the
glasses can either be engraved on the side-arm, or if they are plastic, then a waterproof
label can be affixed.
Problems with the loss of clothing and
other items are more prevalent on a secure unit as the residents may not
recognize what belongs to them or to someone else. Sometimes items will disappear for days and
then suddenly appear again. Valuable
items on a secure unit are definitely not a good idea and other options should
be explored. Trying to have a resident
who has dementia explain that their wedding ring was taken becomes very tense. The staff may feel they are being accused of
theft and the remaining spouse has to deal with yet one more traumatic event at
a time when they are probably feeling quite vulnerable.
When someone goes into a nursing home, they
lose their autonomy and privacy. It may
be a difficult move not only for the new resident but also for the family. Rather than add to the stress of the moment,
make the transition easier for all concerned by replacing the valuable and
sentimental objects that could get lost or go missing. Items such as wedding rings, watches, favourite
earrings or necklaces can bring a lot of comfort to remaining family members so
protect your family's heritage.
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