My Health Care Aide Stole from Me. What to do?

[JTC]

My downstairs neighbor wanted to be my home health care aide, so I allowed her. I had already tried getting an aide from an aide agency 2 yrs ago and it failed. (I had a hunch allowing a neighbor to be my aide was a bad idea, but I got sicker in Sept. and I really need help lately)

So this past Wednesday someone came into my apt. and stole 12 of my opiate pain pills. Other than me, only the aide and her husband have access to a key because they are also the building superintendents. But it gets worse. Last Wed. I gave the aide my keys to use, while I was in the supermarket. I noticed the pills missing on Thursday. I told the aide on Friday, and of course she denies anything about it. I expected that. However, I know she also takes pain pills daily and I suppose she's seriously addicted to them. I really don't know if her husband is also addicted, he may or may not be. One of them took my pills. The problem now is what to do? The aide is saying I misplaced the pills, but she's lying. I did not.

  I am thinking I should call the landlord and report this to him. He should know someone got in here.

  Then I'm wondering if I should call the police and report it as a robbery? I want opinions? Bear in mind these people are not Christians, in fact they had been in jail when they were younger. Now the aide is 60 and her husband is 50.

  I really don't know what to do because I don't have a criminal mentality and obviously these people do. If I could move away I would, but I'm stuck here.

[appy]

The only thing I can suggest is that you have the door locks re-keyed (same lock, but new keys) and do NOT give her or her husband the new keys. As a matter of fact, don't give anyone keys to your place, other than family members. I don't think the police or the landlord are able to help you as far as your medication is concerned, because you gave her the keys to your place which gives her permission to be there. It then becomes a . . . .  he said, she said thing and you have no proof of her or her husband taking your medication.

Getting the door lock re-keyed is cheaper than changing the door lock all together. The cost is approximately 20 to 50 dollars. May be higher depending on where you live.

[Who me]

." I gave the aide my keys to use, while I was in the supermarket"

never ever do that. If you report the loss of any possessions to your contents insurance co, they will not pay out as you enabled the thieve to gain access.

learn from this minor loss, your side is in your home only when you are there, all valuables are locked away, including your drugs.

as has been advised change your locks, think about installing a hidden video camera to watch over where your valuables are stored.

 

I would suggest using your aid for the heavy duty tasks, basic cleaning, stripping and remaking the bed, laundry etc.

most supermarkets do online ordering and home delivery for your bulk buys, leaving you the chance to do more leasurly local shopping for fresh food and exercise.

[appy]

After some more thought on this, I do NOT think it is a good idea for him to say anything to the neighbor's about it because JTC doesn't have proof that the superintendent's wife took the medication. He wasn't there when the medication went missing. As for reporting the issue of theft, he can discuss the situation with the landlord explaining that he thinks the medication went missing after he gave the downstairs neighbor the key to his apartment

@JTC Needs to tell her that he doesn't want her to work for him period.   And ask for the keys back.  Because of the current issue, she doesn't need the excuse to be there.  Having her do anything for him after this point, just gives her an excuse to be in his apartment.  By firing her, he is removing her ability to help herself to his apartment.  JTC needs to find someone else to be his home health care aide.  The only other thing he can do besides having the door re-keyed, is to put the medication out of sight or take the medication with him when he leaves his apartment.