Dad's denture went missing at nursing home -- who pays?

[Anonymous]

During my dad's stay at a nursing home, his denture went missing. The facility is balking at paying for the replacement. Speculation is that it was accidentally discarded but no one is certain.

It seems like the facility should bear some responsibility -- do they have a responsibility to keep his personal belongings secure? This is a Medicare-certified home; I don't see anything in the Medicare regulations about this type of thing.

I've called the state's departments of health and aging and they were not much help.

[Anonymous]

My wife is a nursing home administrator. I would venture to say that you signed something at admission acknowledging that you are responsible for lost items. I would also venture to say that if your husband were a long term resident, they would be more likely to pay something. Finally, without knowing more, like who took them out, where they were placed after they were removed, etc., to determine whether there is really any fault on the part of the nursing home.

[Anonymous]

Worked as a CNA in college. This happens easily. Some people take them off in their beds and they end up in the laundry where someone *might* find them. Often taw dentures that had been soaking for days in a covered container to the point of almost evolving life--and this was working in places that were generally very good. From what I have seen with relatives, staffing ratios have improved compared to 30 years ago when I did this work, but bottom line is--not surprised, and nursing home unlikely to be liable.

[Anonymous]

Your Dad pays

[Anonymous]

Your dad pays

Is he in a dementia ward or incapacitated? If that were the case I’d feel differently. Elderly people can still look after their own belongings

[Anonymous]

why would the nursing home pay? i don't understand your thought process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:During my dad's stay at a nursing home, his denture went missing. The facility is balking at paying for the replacement. Speculation is that it was accidentally discarded but no one is certain.

It seems like the facility should bear some responsibility -- do they have a responsibility to keep his personal belongings secure? This is a Medicare-certified home; I don't see anything in the Medicare regulations about this type of thing.

I've called the state's departments of health and aging and they were not much help.

This happened with my Dad in another state when he was in the hospital.

[Anonymous]

You Dad pays. My MIL is in a nursing home and they frequently lose things. Dentures are not something cheap to replace but I just buy tons of clothing when I see it for a good price as they get ruined and we only keep what is necessary. They lost my MIL glasses, which I don't get as they refused to let her wear them and it was on us to replace. Its very frustrating. You can report it to the state but they don't do anything but citation or a ding on their yearly report but ultimately it means nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your dad pays

Is he in a dementia ward or incapacitated? If that were the case I’d feel differently. Elderly people can still look after their own belongings

+1 No way to prove that dad didn't actually knock the dentures in the trash. It's the cost of group care.