Cathedral Village

Cathedral Village is touted as a “luxury” elder care facility in the Germantown area of Philadelphia. Based on the cost, clearly a facility for the privileged. Our family felt secure in trusting this facility with our mother. She had lived there for approximately nine years. Sadly, in her last months, her decline compelled the caretakers to move her to the hospital facility “Bishop White” also on the Cathedral Village campus. She remained in a single hospital room for about six months, until she passed. At that time, our family engaged in the sad task of removing her furnishings and personal belongings from her assisted living apartment. We were horrified to discover that almost all of her valuable jewelry collection was GONE! We had previously known that some items had mysteriously gone missing, but were shocked and apalled to see the final loss. To be specific, at least $350,000 to $400,000 worth of high-end jewelry from Cartier, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany and Co., Harry Winston, Bailey Banks and Biddle. All gifts from her adoring late husband of many years. Even more tragically, antique, family heirlooms were also gone. She was lucky to have retained a large gemstone and gold ring from her late husband, which she wore on her finger in her last bedridden months. Imagine everyone’s surprise when within her last few months, it also mysteriously disappeared from her finger while she declined in her single room at “Bishop White”. It’s estimated worth was $8000. Keep in mind this was an individual who could not independently walk, easily use her hands and was often confused and vulnerable. Our mother essentially had given all her money to the Cathedral Village facility. This is part of the “care deal” agreement. This has meant that we, her children, would not be receiving any monetary inheritance in exchange for her lifetime care. However, we were hopeful to receive her very valuable jewelry collection, containing many family heirloom pieces, all of which were designated in writing to her daughters and grandchildren.Cathedral Village has not been responsive to complaints of these losses and has time and time again blamed any loss on the patients carelessness. CV advised us (rather scolded) that we should have taken her valuables from her for safe keeping. To her children, this sounded like an unreasonable request and a punishment for the patient, therefore we never confiscated the jewelry that she enjoyed, held precious and symbolic. We the family are convinced that she had been gradually robbed by the employees of this facility. She even believed that her apartment had been burglarized on two occasions. When we, her children, requested loss compensation, the director of the facility refused to continue our discussion and forwarded us to their lawyers. It is clear to us that jewelry theft is a lucrative industry at this facility, known to cater to wealthy clientele. While freely entering and exiting her apartment to clear it out, it became apparent to we children that there were no true security measures in place to protect these residents or their apartments.We are absolutely horrified by this form of elder abuse and are hoping it will not continue to be ignored by these facilities. This epidemic of elder theft is absolutely shameful. And shame on Cathedral Village where it is expected! It is ultimately the responsibility of this facility, Cathedral Village to protect their customer and a very vulnerable demographic.The Family