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Hi all,


The official AL residents handbook specifies "no tipping" of the AL staff. However, I would assume that simple gifts of a reasonably low value are acceptable? What are good ideas for gifts for the 1) general caretaker staff 2) key staff and managers involved with my dad?



I suppose since its still "sort of" COVID times, I should ask them if its going to be a shared food item I bring in?

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Goodies to eat for all shifts.
Most ALF have a fund you can contribute to as well, but make the mistake of suggesting amounts, which generally ends up simply offending folks.
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Food is king.
Subs, pizza, pop, cookies.
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I am a baker so I made up a cookie tray to put in the break room. Where I worked the client usually sent the Nurses food. One had cookies sent to us every year. Candy was another thing.
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We will do the same as we did last year , order a large tray of soft pretzels from Philly Pretzel Factory with dips, mustard , cheese etc . We pick it up and drop it off at FIL AL .
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My mother's MC/ALF has a fund that we contribute to.

I also try and bring treats in once a month.

My mother is not easy AT ALL to care for, so I try and do something nice for the staff. I want them to know that I appreciate their efforts.
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I am retired HCW and I can tell you we are all suckers for food!! Pizza, cookies, bagels, you name it! But I always appreciated a nice fruit basket too.. some don't eat the sweets and lots of carbs, so those are great
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waytomisery Dec 7, 2023
I used to bring Dunkin Donuts to my Mom’s AL periodically because she was so difficult and at Christmas , pizza and boxes of candy .
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Gift cards for nearby restaurants are nice to give.

Healthcare workers are constantly washing their hands so quality hand lotion is always a good choice too.

Any kind of delicious food should be fine.
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Cater something for them - pizza, sub sandwiches, Italian... is always appreciated.
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I once tried to give the ED at moms Memory Care Assisted Living facility the gift of a costume jewelry necklace that fit her wardrobe perfectly. She returned it to me a few days later saying she was not allowed to accept ANY gifts from residents or their family members.

I used to give out the giant boxes of Russell Stover chocolates to the special caregivers at moms Memory Care. They were $9.98 at Wal Mart in 2022.

Here it is......$23.99 not including shipping 😑

https://www.russellstover.com/assorted-chocolates-holiday-big-box-20-oz?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAmsurBhBvEiwA6e-WPNwFdfTsTwLdEBIGu6NRRACCdEjU0BnzOUafzsxnsbsXtvKvEVO-_RoCP5QQAvD_BwE

To the rest of the staff I'd give out a Christmas tin of butter cookies here:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sam-s-Choice-Butter-Christmas-Cookies-12-oz/154183440

Or a big Christmas tin of popcorn here:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Great-Value-Holiday-Popcorn-Tin-Christmas-Camper-Design-21-Ounces/2108477101

I'd also contribute $$$ to the pool.
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This is a hard one that you don’t want to go over board on. I bought a fruit for a fruit basket and put it in the break room. One patient is helped by so many that it was hard to single out individuals.
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At my late husband's nursing home, we were not allowed to give any individual gifts. Several families of residents chipped in to provide pizza and salad meals for the staff (on all shifts), along with fresh fruit. We included vegetarian pizza for those who didn't eat meat. Some of the staff were Muslims so they ate no pork and appreciated the vegetarian pizza. It was also possible to hold drawings (where all staff had an equal chance of winning) for gift cards to stores, restaurants, and movie theaters.
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I am going to provide a couple cases of sodas and flavored waters.
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The facility that my husband is in, memory care, the facility asked for $365 for the year! A dollar a day. They say they all divide it up. I thought that was a lot and gave $250.
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Last year we bought 50 $2 lottery tickets and my Mom was still up to using her embroidery machine and made small Christmas tree decorations.

This year my Mom moved to Skilled Nursing (she has ALS). I went to Hobby Lobby and got an assortment of Christmas tree ornaments (50% off!) so each aide/tech/nurse will get a star ornament and then one other.

I plan to go to Krispee Kreme doughnuts and lattes/coffees for the Christmas eve and Christmas day crews
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Years ago when i was a nurse aide patients family would bring in candy.

we called it nurse bait 😺
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strugglinson: Perhaps a basket of citrus fruit would be acceptable.
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I ordered a big cookie crate from Cheryl's Cookies. It's a variety of flavors, and they are all individually wrapped. I considered Cookies by Design and Edible Arrangements. Lots of great places to order from.
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Ask the administration what the rules are. My mother's memory care place said ZERO gifts, tips, etc. because ethically it could appear that you're buying better care for your loved one.
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pamzimmrrt Dec 13, 2023
Oh yes, most do,, but a "group gift" is rarely complained about.. LOL Gifts and tips usually mean to an individual caregiver, that could look like a bribe. A nice gift for the "staff" is usually overlooked by management, Our ICU and my Moms rehab and Dads MC never complained once.
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Most places will limit gifts to $25.00
Many want gifts "pooled" because there are a lot of people caring for residents that you do not see or are not even direct hands on care but their services are needed just as much as the CNA and nurses you see each time you visit.
A fruit tray, a tray of sandwiches that you bring to the nurses station would be nice, a large box of candy or cookies.
If you do this bring one for AM staff and at some point bring another for PM staff.
If there is anyone that is particularly nice, helpful a nicely written note to both the person and the Supervisor or HR. A note like that would go into the employee file and might be mentioned during an annual review or if the person wants a better time off schedule. Given to the employee she/he can use it when applying for another job or if they want a raise or a promotion.

One of the kindest things that you can do is
Greet each employee when coming to visit, say good bye when you leave. This is not just CNA's, Nurses but the person moping the floor, the guy that is spreading salt on the walkway so you don't slip, the person from kitchen that serves lunch or brings snacks. It is amazing what a smile and a greeting can do for someone's day.
Say "please" and "thank you"
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I bought 500 pieces of lindt chocolates and put them in individual bags of 20.
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Grandma1954 Dec 15, 2023
You can put me on your gift list, but the Dark Lindt please 😉😋
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I donated to the holiday pool 150.00 is that enough or should I give more or maybe bring in food or candy for staff my husband is in mc 3 to 4 months now
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Grandma1954 Dec 15, 2023
To use a "today's term"
You do you.
what ever you are comfortable giving...give
Don't let anyone pressure you to give more than you can afford or what feels right to you.
I am sure there are some that can and do give more and some that can give nothing.
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