Senior citizens, relatives and employees have been waiting for several years for the big day.
Earlier this month it happened: The new Soldalhus care home was ready to receive the residents from the city’s old care home, the Vendelbocentret.
But on 5 November – the day before the big move – Herdis Brix Arknæs-Pedersen, who had otherwise lived at the nursing home in Sindal for a handful of years, died.
Subsequently, the son Lars Arknæs – who originates from Sindal, but today lives in Aarhus – has been to Sindal a few times.
At the latest at the weekend, when he and his sister had to empty the mother’s rented accommodation – something had to be inherited and something had to be taken for recycling.
But during the big clean-up, they stumbled upon several things:
Bedrollers that or belonged under a sofa bed had been pulled out, clothes were on the floor – and a leather bag that was open.
It turned out that several of the mother’s things had been stolen: an iPad with a red cover, a small copper chest and a green glass jewelery box.
Private photo.
Unlocked
In advance, Lars Arknæs had secured a key fob that could be picked up at the new nursing home so he could enter the Vendelbocentret – and a physical key so he could enter the mother’s residence itself.
– The other times I have been there, the door was locked. But when we had to enter her home the door was unlocked this time. I was surprised by that, and I think it is strange that there has been free access to her things, says Lars Arknæs.
The coffin is handmade by Lars Arknæs’ grandfather. Private photo.
He can get over the iPad theft, but the coffin and jewelery box have great sentimental value.
– The coffin was handmade by my grandfather, so it has great value to me, explains Lars Arknæs.
However, the jewelery box was later found by the staff.
– Perhaps the thief realized that there was no content of value and left it behind, says Lars Arknæs.
– Incomprehensible
He shakes his head at the fact that uninvited guests have been on the prowl:
– I can almost only feel sorry for the person who did it. It is so paltry that you can think of stealing from a deceased person – it is incomprehensible to me, it says.
However, the family also criticizes the nursing home, to which they have written a letter after the experience.
– I don’t want to accuse anyone of anything. But somewhere, it must be their responsibility that it is not locked off. Why haven’t they taken care of that?, asks Lars Arknæs.
– We have sent the letter in the hope that someone will take responsibility, he says.
Reported to the police
When the two siblings left the nursing home at the weekend, Lars Arknæs noticed that it appeared that a door had been kicked open in the kitchen – and something could perhaps indicate that some have gained unregulated access via a basement.
He can only guess that one or more people may have walked around outside the care home and then seen that there were effects in the mother’s home – after which they gained access to the care home.
The family has reported the matter to the police.
Nordjyske has been in contact with the management at the nursing home in Sindal, who are however tight-lipped about the matter.
– We have also reported it to the police, says Inge Thaarup Jensen, assistant head of department.
– But otherwise we have no comments as long as the police are inside, she says to Nordjyske.
2024-11-25 14:58:00
#Herdis #died #nursing #home #closed #left #door #unlocked
How can families ensure the security of their loved ones’ belongings in a nursing home environment?
Emises, especially at such a sensitive time for the family. The thought that some items could have been taken while they were grieving is hard to comprehend. “It feels like a violation,” he said, expressing his frustration and disbelief at the circumstances.
Lars mentioned that his mother had been well-liked and respected at the nursing home, and he never would have expected something like this to happen. “You think that in a place meant to care for vulnerable people, security would be a priority,” he remarked.
The unexplained access to the home raised serious questions for him. “Why was the door unlocked? Who had access? It’s alarming to think that someone could simply walk in and out with personal belongings.”
Despite the distressing situation, Lars and his sister are determined to find closure. They plan to report the theft to the local authorities and are hopeful that any missing items, particularly the coffin, could still be recovered.
As they continue the process of sorting through their mother’s belongings, they also find solace in remembering the cherished memories associated with those items. “At the end of the day, the love and memories we have of our mother are the most important,” Lars reflected, but the emotional toll of the theft hangs heavily on them.
The family is now focusing on celebrating their mother’s life rather than dwelling on the loss. They are preparing for her memorial service, hoping to honor her memory in a way that reflects her vibrant spirit and the love she shared with her family and friends.
In a world where kindness can sometimes feel overshadowed by negative events, they believe that love and shared memories will ultimately triumph over this unfortunate intrusion.