Family Battles Over Who Should Replace 93-Year-Old Veteran’s Lost Dentures at N.J. Hospital

A New Jersey family worries after their 93-year-old Korean War veteran father was discharged from a hospital without dentures. The family must now select who pays the $4,500 replacement.

The protagonist, Frank Celenza, has always liked food. From ribs to meaty sandwiches on crispy Italian bread, eating has always been his obsession. However, losing his dentures has made even basic meals difficult, aggravating him and his family.

According to his relatives, Celenza was hospitalized with dentures but departed without them. Due to the cost and time required to replace all dentures, the loss was unexpected. Dentures are small yet essential for seniors’ nutrition, comfort, and quality of life.

The incident also raised questions about hospital responsibility for lost personal items. After losing his dentures in the hospital, family members argue the facility should pay for replacement. Such scenarios make responsibility management challenging. Hospital personal property disclaimers might charge patients and families for services they did not cause.

Celenza and other veterans take it seriously. His family thinks he deserves honor after the Korean War. They underline that losing something so significant hurts his dignity and daily comfort.

This story illustrates a prevalent but rarely mentioned concern for seniors and their families. Dentures, glasses, and hearing aids can be misplaced in hospitals despite security. Who pays for replacements might complicate a problematic situation.

For Celenza to eat again, his family hopes the hospital will pay. Healthcare facilities must handle patients’ personal items with care and accountability, especially when they affect health and daily life.

While their 93-year-old father waits for his teeth and favorite foods, the family fights for fairness.

Sources:
NJ Advance Media
Official New Jersey Health Department
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs