Top property losses at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, long-term care, and other types of senior living operations include water damage and mold, fire and smoke damage, natural catastrophes (hurricanes, floods), business interruption, theft and loss of resident property, and equipment failure. In this article, we will discuss best practices in preventing resident property theft that you can share with your insureds. In future articles, we’ll provide risk-mitigation strategies for other types of losses.
Theft of resident property is a prevalent issue, involving stolen personal possessions such as clothing, jewelry, and medical devices (e.g., eyeglasses and hearing aids). The population in these facilities is older. Some have acute medical issues that require consistent medical care. Others may have memory or mental incapacities. These are residents’ homes, and they often have valuable items, family heirlooms, jewelry, and even large amounts of cash. You have facility employees regularly coming and going from their rooms or apartments – from housekeeping to nursing and other support staff, who may have access to residents’ personal belongings.
As a result, these vulnerabilities must be given special attention to establish a secure environment. The key to preventing these types of incidents is to promote a culture of accountability through regular awareness campaigns and clear policies within the operation.
Staff Hiring, Training, & Education
- Create and enforce a zero-tolerance loss/theft policy that emphasizes staff respect for resident belongings.
- Thoroughly screen potential employees prior to hiring.
- Conduct regular training on theft prevention, employee reporting, and handling resident property.
Security
- Install cameras in common areas, hallways, and entryways.
- Secure medication/supply closets and staff-only areas with locks and alarms.
- Provide lockable drawers, safes, or lockers for resident valuables and staff personal items.
Property Management
- Obtain and use detailed resident inventory lists upon entry and transfer/discharge.
- Assign responsibility for lost items, maintain records, and display items centrally.
Medication & Asset Management
- Implement strict controls for storage, access, and documentation of medications.
- Regularly track community assets (equipment, supplies) to support accountability.
Additionally, maintain meticulous records for all incidents to identify patterns. Also, sure your Commercial Property program includes coverage for employee theft.
About Seneca Insurance Companies
Seneca Insurance Companies offers a specific Property program for senior living facilities that includes Employee Theft coverage. Our product also includes Forgery & Alteration coverage. These coverages provide protection against financial losses from employee dishonesty, including theft of the facility’s money, securities, or property, and, importantly, theft of residents’ valuables (like cash or jewelry) when under staff care, as well as losses from forgery, fraud, and embezzlement. We offer admitted and non-admitted ISO-based policies, with catastrophe perils tailored to specific locations and risk characteristics.