Expressing gratitude to care workers

BassetHoundAnn

My mom's going to be in her quasi-AL residence for a year now and it's been a very good experience. All the staff has been wonderful. They've calmed her meltdowns, gone with her to her room a half-dozen times a day to help her find her purse, encouraged her to join activities and have meals with other residents, and generally dealt with my mom's shenanigans and freakouts with cheer. And they've called my husband and I immediately whenever something is concerning. Even the cleaning gal has been great, in spite of the fact that my mom often barricades her door with furniture and refuses to let the poor woman in. 

So we're thinking we should gift the staff and thank them for their hard work. But how? And if it's with gift cards, like maybe restaurant gift cards, how much would be appropriate? 

Any thoughts here? Any ideas? 

I'm a big believer in letters of thanks and I will write those. But beyond that, any suggestions for expressing gratitude to individual staff members? 

Sjodry

BassetHoundAnn,

I routinely give individual Starbucks gift cards, notes of gratitude, donuts for all the caregivers to let them know I appreciate them.

Take care.

Sandy

sandwichone123

Most healthcare staff cannot accept any money or money equivalent, like gift cards. They do love notes of thanks and food, whether pizza (don't forget the night shift), fruit baskets, candy baskets. Any degree of healthy or unhealthy, and any price point will make the staff feel appreciated.

MN Chickadee

I've never done anything monetary, because at my mom's place some of the staff from other buildings help out sometimes, plus there are 3 shifts, so I it wouldn't be much per person by the time I buy like 35 gift cards, and I also don't know if they can even accept them. I have brought a lot of goodies, I try to every month or so. Bagels with cream cheese, donuts, homemade christmas cookies and hot cocoa mix, fresh baked dinner rolls portioned out so everyone can take a package home, fresh fruit, pre-fab gift baskets, during the pandemic I brought masks in fun prints. I always write a letter or card expressing our appreciation. And I make a point to tell management when I'm impressed or someone goes above and beyond.

dayn2nite2

I don't think gifts are necessary.  Maybe after she passes away they might be appropriate, but at this time possibly not.  You also need to see if the policy at the facility allows for the acceptance of gifts by employees.

The reason I say this is there will always be someone who's left out (new employees, people who provide care you may not be aware of, someone in the kitchen who makes sure your mom has a sandwich available if she won't eat, etc., the administrative person who sits and chats with your mom daily, etc.).  Gifts can cause more problems.  The greatest gift you can give them is a heartfelt thank you when you see the staff, maybe send a card to each shift with the things they do that you so appreciate written down.  

It's funny, the care workers rarely get a "thank you" on a day-to-day basis and the family that do thank them are really appreciated.

It's just my personal feelings about gifts.

King Boo

I catered a late hoagie lunch (catches the 7 am - 3 pm and the 3pm-11 staff) and a smaller evening food delivery for the 11 pm - 7 am staff, once a year around his birthday while my LO was in AL/MC.  I also contributed to their annual holiday fund for employees for tips.    I would bring donuts and coffee in here and there to be left at the staff station, also for both shifts, with a note to the 11-7 staff thanking them even though I never saw them.  

There were individuals who deserved more recognition but policy did not permit an individual gift, although when my LO died, I found it do-able.   After my LO's passing, I catered again as a final thank you for all 3 shifts in MC/SNF/ and hospice. 

jfkoc

Not easy to give something to thank all o the shifts but a possibility that comes to mind is a large fresh fruit "arrangement".