Should I pay for something an elderly person I care for lost?

About a month ago I got a job where I take elderly people out on outings. Many of them use wheelchairs, walkers and canes.
Yesterday I had three clients with me, and we stopped at a gas station so they could use the bathroom. One elderly woman (who does not need assistance when toileting) was using the bathroom, meanwhile I walked another client to car. Went back to store, elderly woman was standing outside the store, I asked if she was ready to get in car, and she said 'yes', so I walked her to the car.
Upon dropping her off at her home, I realize her purse (it only had $3 in it) and cane are gone.

I went back to gas station, but they were gone, and staff said no one had turned them in. So someone must have taken them.

I apologized to her daughter who she lives with, and said I'll pay for replacements. My boss says no, the company will cover.

Cane was bought at pharmacy, could be a few hundred $ to replace.

Should I pay for replacements, or let company pay?

The world needs more people like you. If your company offered to cover the loss, let them. I like Jingle's idea about buying her a new purse, though. She probably would appreciate the thought, even if the company does replace her old one. It is the thought that counts, right? Ask her a few questions about her "old" purse, and try to find out what she likes as far as style goes. Happy Holidays to you, wishing you many blessings.

Edit re: the cane: The cane can probably be replaced cheaply or possibly free, if she's on Medicare. My husband uses a "quad cane" occasionally. I had to purchase it for him, as he needed it before his Medicare became effective. It cost me $63 at a medical supply store. If her doctor will write a prescription for another cane, Medicare may pick up the cost of the new one.

Just let the company pay.
The important thing is that she gets her cane back. Maybe you could get her a purse for a christmas surprise?

Your boss said the company pays, case closed. They probably have insurance. Whatever damage was done to your creditability was done when you didn't notice the old lady didn't have her cane, paying some money isn't going to change that. Hopefully you'll learn to notice things like that. Three people out under the care of only ONE sounds irresponsible for your company as well.

Let the company pay. They will have insurance to cover this type of mishap.

Well, I think you were a bit neglectful because you didn't check to make sure she had all her items with her.

I work with the mentally-challenged and I hate to put this way, but I try to do the thinking for them because after all they are senile and mentally-challenged.

Learn from this incident so next time you will remember to double check your residents before leaving any public/private area.

If the company is willing to pay, let them pay. Period...

Let the company pay. You have taken on enough responsibility already, and you are not endlessly responsible for whatever happens especially if it's out of your sight. I applaud your sense of values, but this was truly beyond your control. Let it go.

nah, let the company pay if they're offering to. it might be nice though for you to buy a new little purse or something as a gift for the lady.

Not your fault honey. **** happens and you should let your company pay for it besides you work for them right. so its there problem. You take care of people and its not all of your responsibility to keep up with their tag along.

u r so sweet but the company has insurance for this sort of thing blessing to u

The company should pay. You were on duty and was doing your job as best as you can but it isn't your fault that one of your clients lost those items (purse and cane). We know you feel responsible but the cost of those lost items should be covered by the company. There ought to be guidelines concerning this issue. I am sure there are..

The company you work for probably has insurance to cover this sort of thing. It seems that you had a lot of people to care for at the time this incident occurred, so I think the company needs to know that this is not the right thing to do. It is very difficult to take care of just one patient, three is way out of line. Bless you for doing this work as it requires a lot of patience and fortitude. Merry Christmas.

No, the company should be insured against such losses.
However, you've learned that you have to double check the bathrooms and places they have been for articles left behind so it doesn't happen again.