Follow
Share
Read More
This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
My Mom's AL facility campaigned in their daily newsletter for a month asking the residents to purchase 20.00 gift cards to "help make the holidays brighter" for the staff. Several residents were confused, thought it was a requirement, and were overheard asking the staff how to buy them. They were told to give their money to a representative on the staff who would make the purchase for them. As many of the residents no longer manage their own finances, I thought this seemed inappropriate. Especially since we learned the hard way in Mom's first year in AL that companionship is not incuded in the fee schedule. All business, no real individual attention or connection.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

When my sister was alive we had a wonderful nurse who took care of her 5 days a week. At Christmas time my mother gave gifts to her and her 3 children. We could not have taken care of my sister at home without her help. I don't know which is best cash or a gift card. A gift would be appreciated. 
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

I gave the equivalent of the daily rate to my mom's memory care facility for the staff donation request

I also have private aides with her 12 hours a day - except for one or two steady ones it is a revolving door and some only do one shift a week - among the six I'm tipping, one gets $100, one gets $50 and the rest get $20 and all get a small box of See's candy
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

If you're already paying facility, that's already too much. They do think they're doing you a big favor by taking your loved one to bathroom.....they much rather have them sit in s*it all day.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Personally I would not tip with "money" a care giver for fear that that would influence the ones that got money over the ones that did not. I would think a sincere, verbal, "tip" would be sufficient.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

I'm going to quote my son on this one : "Money is NEVER unappreciated".
Most caregivers (no matter their education level or qualifications) don't make enough to justify the "nasty" parts of the jobs we do..out of love. (And if you don't come to love your client, then I feel sorry for you) Money was the reason I worked 2 jobs for several years and money was the most appreciated gift. My client's family HIRED me because they simply could not care for mom any more--they all knew the exhaustion and frustration of the endlessness of caring for her.
For me, it was my JOB and I did it with pride and respected my client. Being respected in turn just made me feel valued and want to do a better job. One of my saddest days of my life was the day we moved her into a NH. Broke my heart, I cried all the way home.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

I tip our 24 hour aides $10 per day all year round and was wondering should I give extra for the holidays?
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

I'm at a crossroads as to what I'll do. To the CareGiver that comes in 3 mornings a week, I think $20. To the night CG's, $10, to a CG that comes once a week, not sure. Maybe just a gift of bananas. To the CG that comes 2 mornings a week, $10. And maybe I'll cha nge my mind.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

I will probably give them each $50-$100 in cash.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

I think it is a horrible restriction of any agency to prevent tip giving. So many assumptions have been passed on from different areas of healthcare without respect or thought. A nurse is different from a home health aide - a nurse has a profession,authority, respect, a career with career ladder- home health aides do all kinds of home cleanup work, meal making, they stay with many families over time - they are thrilled to receive money at holiday time or end of year.

The relationship is different for someone present in a home, for many hours, on a regular basis, from professionals who arrive in many homes, briefly, to assess and treat.

I feel insulted if an agency steps in the middle - they fear individual aides making arrangements on their own, worry about upsetting families, but I think a family-caregiver bond and respect is irreplaceable, and they should encourage families with appreciation, to show their value of ongoing aides. Agencies do not offer career ladder training, just an hourly rate (relatively low) and only skills training sessions periodically.

If you tip the mailman, the trash man, a waitress, hotel personnel, etc, by all means tip the home health aides, and because most are scraping by, money is best as part of a thank you.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

This is so very subjective, different people have wildly different expectations about what an appropriate gift may be. I know that I personally don't give gifts to family that cost more than $15 - $20, so shelling out more than that as a tip seems overly generous, but that is just me. And I also agree that a cash bonus or a gift card (if you are certain it is for a place they shop) is the way to go, nobody really wants another candle, goofy mug, christmas ornament etc, and even gifts of candy or other food items could be sabotaging their new year's diet resolution and not be appreciated.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

the assisted living facility where my mother lives sends out a printed notice for year end bonuses 4 care givers. I prefer slipping gift certificates 4 grocery stores 2 my favorite care-givers, nurses, housekeepers...we ALL eat
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

cwillie, I agree with you. My family also gets gifts that cost no more than %15-$20. Giving any more than $20 to me seems ridiculous. And I'll give cash.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

My friends in Long Island and NYc were given one week worth of pay as Christmas bonus. They work 24/7.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter