How Can I Locate A "stolen" Elderly Relative?

[mrs_overall]

In March I posted about my 93 year old aunt who has advanced cancer and was discharged from hospital with a care package in place, which seemed to have been working. I live over 100 miles away so my input has not been great but another much younger aunt has been taking care of things. My good for nothing cousin, the only child of the 93 year old has had nothing to do with her mother since Christmas. My younger aunt rang my cousin and told her to get her finger out as younger aunt was going away for a much needed holiday.
Anyway, younger aunt has returned from holiday to find a letter from my cousin saying she has put the 93 year old in a home (not local) and has got rid of her flat & possessions. The cousin has cleared off to live in France!
Younger aunt is going frantic as she cannot find out where her sister is. A check of all local nursing homes and the GP have found nothing.
Any suggestions?

[Canary42]

How terrible for you Mrs O.

I don't know how accessible NHS records are - could you try there ?

Is the ******* cousin not contactable ?

[albaqwerty]

I'm disgusted at the cousin.

Have you tried hospices? (At the risk of sounding insensitive)

[mrs_overall]

The cousin is not contactable. Even her own children (both adults) have no idea how to get in touch with her - they received postcards with a one line message "Moved to France, will be in touch soon."
As I said, my aunt's GP knows nothing about it either

[mrs_overall]

alba, it is not insensitive.
The GP specifically said she would not have been placed in a hospice without a referral

[albaqwerty]

Any chance of younger aunt contacting the neighbours to see if they've heard anything?

[Canary42]

How about the Salvation Army, I understand they are experts at finding people.

I hope someone with more positive help comes online soon.

[flump1]

Mrs O , cousin sounds like a right cow. I don't suppose she took her mother to France too ?

[mrs_overall]

alba, younger aunt has grilled all the neighbours, who unfortunately are all elderly and mostly deaf and know nothing.

Yes, my cousin is a selfish cow and always has been. There is no way she would take her mother to France!

[Tilly2]

I'm sure you will have asked , but don't the people who put the care package in place know anything?

[mrs_overall]

Yes younger aunt asked them. They turned up one morning to find aunt gone and the flat stripped bare.

[albaqwerty]

Contact a newspaper asking for their help.
The Daily Record for example, has a 'Help' section, albeit small, where folk ask for help in looking for a friend/relative/lost jewellery etc.

[mrs_overall]

To anyone else who leaves an answer - I will be back later as I have things to do now.

[Iluvspikey]

Who did she get rid of the flat and possessions to, because they obviously didn't check that she had a right to do so. There is usually so much to put into place when somebody goes into home - what about a bank or building society? - Did your aunt have one - to pay for her care or her pension to go into - They not be able to give you an address but they might now of the wereabouts of the cousin. Failing that, get the police in - for if nothing else the theft of possessions

[daffy654]

I would contact the police.

[rockyracoon]

I know it sounds dramatic but in theory your cousin could have killed her and gotten away with it, I'd definitely go to the police.

[rsvp]

Maybe Age Concern or social services? There has to be a question mark over this so as it all sounds very odd - hope it works out Mrs_O

[Tilly2]

I was thinking along those lines, rocky.

[daffy654]

My thoughts too rocky.
I know it isn't very likely but the police may be able to help with at least some reassurance that this isn't what has happened.

They may want to investigate any theft or fraud involved in the whole thing anyway.

[Maydup]

Could someone check with the new owners of the flat for a forwarding address? Or any other information they have about the lady who lived there before?

[chiefsub68]

Tell the local papers. This cousin doesn't sound the sort to have looked for the best care home and, by extension, won't have looked for one too far away. They won't be able to tell the whole story (defamation) but should be able to publish your appeal.