psiluvu
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,217 
Location: Canada's Capital
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Post by psiluvu on Nov 12, 2015 16:01:07 GMT
My mom just moved into an assisted living place on Monday. She is healthy and "with it" but has a muscle wasting disease that requires more help than we could give. So far she is very happy. There seems to be a lot of staff, PSW's, RN's, RPN's, Life enrichment coordinators etc. I am sure she will want to recognize some if not all of these people with a Christmas gift.
Can someone help me with ideas? Should it be individual or a staff thing? if staff would it be for all shifts? Any inexpensive ideas or do's and don'ts would be very much appreciated |
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Post by myboysnme on Nov 12, 2015 16:04:33 GMT
I work in long term care as does my son. They love the kind of stuff they can put in the break room and enjoy. The thing to remember about this is that some staff do not use the break room, such as social worker and therapists who usually have their own offices. So maybe you want to do something individually for them.
But our staff love food, so cookie trays or other holiday trays are welcome, and make it big enough so there is enough for all 3 shifts.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 2, 2024 12:35:28 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2015 17:31:42 GMT
Or gift certificates for restaurants would be a good idea. Some facilities have strict rules about employees receiving no presents from residents since there are some that are not with it and they can be taken advantage of. I think making it a staff gift and talking directly to the administrator is the best way.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Nov 12, 2015 17:38:24 GMT
I work in long term care as does my son. They love the kind of stuff they can put in the break room and enjoy. The thing to remember about this is that some staff do not use the break room, such as social worker and therapists who usually have their own offices. So maybe you want to do something individually for them. But our staff love food, so cookie trays or other holiday trays are welcome, and make it big enough so there is enough for all 3 shifts. Yes, this. It's the easiest way to do something nice for all the people who care for your loved one. |
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happymomma
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,078
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Post by happymomma on Nov 12, 2015 17:40:04 GMT
Cookie Trays!
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Post by olbrwneyedgirl on Nov 12, 2015 17:43:56 GMT
I also worked at a Long term care facility one Christmas where anyone who wanted to donate cash to staff gifts was collected and then divided amongst the staff. I always thought that was nice. You might check (maybe with the administrator) and see if they do anything like that.
Barring that, I would say yummy goodies in the breakroom also. It's always nice to try and figure out a way to help the 2nd and 3rd shifters actually get some, too!
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Post by olbrwneyedgirl on Nov 12, 2015 17:46:05 GMT
Ok... rereading my run-on sentence, I see that I indicated *people* were collected!
They let folks know they would accept and distribute cash. It was totally a no pressure, low-key thing.
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oldcrow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,828
Location: Ontario,Canada
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Post by oldcrow on Nov 12, 2015 17:47:23 GMT
I would advise that you talk to the administration before deciding on individual gifts. You will feel bad if you hand someone a Christmas gift and they refuse to take it because it is against the rules.
I know that there is probably some workers you already really like and would like to acknowledge that but what sort of situation are you creating. The worker you do not give to is going to be hurt and you have to wonder how that will change their relationship with your mother and with you.
A gift meant for everyone is the best way to go.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 2, 2024 12:35:28 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2015 17:52:25 GMT
The place my mom traditionally gives out $25 GCs to the staff at their Christmas party. They ask that rather than recognize one person, we donate to the group gifts. That way everyone gets a gift (including the cleaners, food staff, office staff, etc). It's worked out really nicely.
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Post by myboysnme on Nov 12, 2015 18:23:57 GMT
A general rule for most places is no gifts can be accepted with a value over $10, so if you gave to say, a particular therapist, a small tin of cookies or something should be under that amount. This is because some people can afford a lot and people perceive that those who can give a nice gift are buying better care or preferential treatment.
Sometimes there is a staff Christmas party and you could volunteer to provide 2 trays of cookies or something along those lines to the party so everyone can get some, and maybe a tray for those who have to work and can't attend or on the other shifts. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 2, 2024 12:35:28 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2015 18:38:37 GMT
Flowers.
Or a dispensing bin for candy.
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Post by littlemama on Nov 12, 2015 18:47:02 GMT
I would not do individual gifts for a couple of reasons - 1. Many times the staff are not allowed to accept the gifts because with some elderly residents, it's hard to tell if a gift was given or coerced and 2. There are a lot more people involved in your mother's care than you ever see.
I would do some type of group gift, and make sure there is enough for all shifts. There are usually three shifts, and while first and second shift might overlap during the day, third shift could tend to be left out.
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peaname
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,389
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Post by peaname on Nov 12, 2015 19:48:01 GMT
I also work in a nursing home. This time of year I've seen every discipline in the break room enjoying the group gifts that we get. I've found healthy snacks like those crates of clementines or trays of nuts are greatly appreciated. We also love pounds of ground coffee. And it's very thoughtful to divide the gift into three so all three shifts can enjoy the treats.
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Post by flanz on Nov 12, 2015 19:52:00 GMT
I work in long term care as does my son. They love the kind of stuff they can put in the break room and enjoy. The thing to remember about this is that some staff do not use the break room, such as social worker and therapists who usually have their own offices. So maybe you want to do something individually for them. But our staff love food, so cookie trays or other holiday trays are welcome, and make it big enough so there is enough for all 3 shifts. Yes, this. It's the easiest way to do something nice for all the people who care for your loved one. Sadly, I would add that homemade, while usually delicious and def. takes more time and effort, lots of people these days treat anything not store-wrapped with suspicion.  I wanted to thank some of my MIL's excellent caregivers by giving them a cash thank you and that was a strictly enforced NO NO. I ended up asking the nursing supervisor on the floor if I could bring pizzas in to the staff room so all could share them for lunch/break and that was appreciated. |
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Post by mrssmith on Nov 12, 2015 19:52:51 GMT
I'd call the facility first. I would probably send a fruit/nut gift basket since this time of year, everyone is overloaded with sweets.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Nov 12, 2015 20:03:31 GMT
Yes, this. It's the easiest way to do something nice for all the people who care for your loved one. Sadly, I would add that homemade, while usually delicious and def. takes more time and effort, lots of people these days treat anything not store-wrapped with suspicion. I wanted to thank some of my MIL's excellent caregivers by giving them a cash thank you and that was a strictly enforced NO NO. I ended up asking the nursing supervisor on the floor if I could bring pizzas in to the staff room so all could share them for lunch/break and that was appreciated. Oh, I absolutely would do store bought or catered. When my mom passed away, we gave the floor coordinator $150 to use toward a pizza or subs party for the staff on mom's floor. It was very much appreciated. |
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Post by flanz on Nov 12, 2015 20:08:13 GMT
My dad was cared for by amazing people in a palliative care wing in Canada. After he died, my sister and I wanted to do something for the staff to express our gratitude.
We spoke with a few of the nurses on the floor and asked what they might need in their staff room. Turns out they needed a new coffee maker, so we purchased that. When I returned home to western U.S. I sent them a huge package with locally made biscotti. And we wrote very heartfelt cards to them. I think the acknowledgement, in writing, is very powerful. I have also been told, after the fact, that in addition to writing those heartfelt notes to the individuals or teams involved, to be sure to send a copy to their supervisors.
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Post by jenjie on Nov 12, 2015 22:14:54 GMT
Sadly, I would add that homemade, while usually delicious and def. takes more time and effort, lots of people these days treat anything not store-wrapped with suspicion. I wanted to thank some of my MIL's excellent caregivers by giving them a cash thank you and that was a strictly enforced NO NO. I ended up asking the nursing supervisor on the floor if I could bring pizzas in to the staff room so all could share them for lunch/break and that was appreciated. Oh, I absolutely would do store bought or catered. When my mom passed away, we gave the floor coordinator $150 to use toward a pizza or subs party for the staff on mom's floor. It was very much appreciated. o I plan to do the same. Tomorrow ds10 and I will deliver keurig and stuff. After that I think I need to not be going back anymore so I'll send a Wawa GC for the oncology unit so they can get hoagie trays, sodas and snacks on whatever day works best for them. |
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Post by arielsmom on Nov 12, 2015 22:52:46 GMT
I am on a board at a large facility. Individual gifts are against the rules, as stated above. However, we can leave treats for every one in break rooms, etc. Once a month they do a special lunch for all shifts, so donations of money toward that is always appreciated (it is done on training day so every one gets a treat).
I also second the note to special care givers, with a copy to the supervisor.
Dad always like that we could treat his girls. We did cheese trays (he was a retired cheesemaker), special cakes, cookies, etc. One family did a basket of all kinds of nuts and sweets. Every one loved it!
For Valentine's Day I worked with the director, and I purchased liquid soap for every employee, but she handed them out. No one knew they were from our family, but us, so it was oked by the executive director.
So, just pop in and talk to the staff, ask some questions, maybe look at the resident manual..... thank you for thinking of the care givers.
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mommamagoo
Junior Member
Posts: 60
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Post by mommamagoo on Nov 13, 2015 1:02:29 GMT
That's great that your Mom is adjusting so well to the move! If they have separate dining staff, consider doing a little something for them too. They didn't use the same break room as the nursing staff, so they never got to share in the cookies and stuff people would bring. We would also eat with Grandma and help out at her table when we could, and her dining room experience improved dramatically.
The janitorial staff too. Doesn't have to be expensive, even just a card. Grandma always wanted to get a gift for the in-house hairdresser as well. We found that the more staff members got to know her (and the family) as people, not just a name and room #- the better her care got. Not Christmas related- but we did an "about me" poster in her room so that people could see the important things and people in her life, pictures of her in younger days, as well as her likes and dislikes, emergency phone numbers etc. It was well received and gave visitors and staff who did not know her well a good starting point for conversation. When she was still up for it, we also put a sign on her door saying that she welcomed visitors and to please stop and say hi if the door was open. It was amazing how many kind people would stop.
Ditto to the people suggesting writing notes to the people that are especially kind to your Mom, and CCing their bosses.
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I wanted to thank some of my MIL's excellent caregivers by giving them a cash thank you and that was a strictly enforced NO NO. I ended up asking the nursing supervisor on the floor if I could bring pizzas in to the staff room so all could share them for lunch/break and that was appreciated.
