Gratuities to Assisted Living Healthcare Aides

anita caggiano · 11-21-2005, 04:30 PM

The individual healthcare workers in the Assisted Living Facility are not allowed to accept individual gifts. The Facility has set up an employee holiday fund. What would be an appropriate amount to contribute on behalf of my mother who lives at this Facility.

jamesglewisf · 11-21-2005, 05:19 PM

There really isn't an inappropriate amount. Just contribute whatever you can afford and think is reasonable. Don't blow your budget on something that the facility is really responsible for taking care of.

Justawoman · 11-22-2005, 07:44 AM

Yeah I find that wierd that they started this fund and the resident's family members contribute. Working with South Plains Health Providers for 4 years I know they were very strict about us taking gifts or money/tips from the clients. It was a big no-no. In fact it would get you terminated the minute it was found out. The agency provided us with a christmas bonus and party. As much as it costs to keep your loved one in an assisted living program I am surprised that they are doing this. I would think a christmas party with the staff, members, and all family members would be more fun and cost effective for some. So like Jim said give what you can afford and don't worry about it.

tdavis102279 · 11-22-2005, 03:01 PM

I have never heard of anything like that. It almost is rude because they are making one feel bad if they don't contribute. I think it is inappropriate.

lou99 · 12-07-2008, 09:07 AM

Does anyone have an opinion on what the proper amount to tip is for an assisted living holiday fund? My dad is in an assisted living center and, similar to a previous center that he was at, there is a holiday fund. I have asked in both places what a typical or appropriate amount is. Neither center has been particularly helpful. The answer is something like "whatever you are comfortable with", although when I have pressed them, the range appears to be something to the effect of $500 - $2000.

Assisted Living is quite expensive already, although I have always been led to believe that care givers are grossly underpaid and the fund goes directly do them. Can anyone shed any light on this? Especially anyone who is or knows a care giver.

Thanks!

jamesglewisf · 12-07-2008, 09:46 AM

Those employees work for a company that is supposed to charge enough for it's services to properly compensate it's employees. It is their responsibility to pay Christmas bonuses, not the patients' responsibility. I don't feel you have any obligation to tip.

If you are feeling generous and want to contribute to the fund anyway, then $50-100 or whatever you can afford is fine - whether it is banana bread or $25 or $10. You need to stay within your own budget. Think about what you would normally spend on one person for Christmas and give that.

carolmillet1 · 06-04-2009, 07:59 AM

which Assisted Living Facility used?

Dude111 · 06-04-2009, 11:08 PM

Welcome to the site

thomassetser · 07-07-2010, 08:54 AM

What that means is that you have to make sure you’re going to relate to people well before they can actually help you on a regular basis????

jamesglewisf · 07-07-2010, 09:00 AM

I'm not sure to whom you are responding or what exactly you mean.

givemeadrink · 10-16-2011, 09:33 AM

my mum has been in AL for her long term care needs. these gratuities depend on the facility and the state

11-21-2005, 04:30 PM	#1
anita caggiano Smart Feller Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1	Gratuities to Assisted Living Healthcare Aides The individual healthcare workers in the Assisted Living Facility are not allowed to accept individual gifts. The Facility has set up an employee holiday fund. What would be an appropriate amount to contribute on behalf of my mother who lives at this Facility.

11-21-2005, 05:19 PM	#2
jamesglewisf Doofus Maximus Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Texas Posts: 8,401	There really isn't an inappropriate amount. Just contribute whatever you can afford and think is reasonable. Don't blow your budget on something that the facility is really responsible for taking care of. __________________ Jim Lewis - Admin Tipping Etiquette Dining Etiquette JamesGLewis.com iPhone Tip Guide Movies Without Nudity.com To BE or not to BE

11-22-2005, 07:44 AM	#3
Justawoman Justamoderator Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 7,091	Yeah I find that wierd that they started this fund and the resident's family members contribute. Working with South Plains Health Providers for 4 years I know they were very strict about us taking gifts or money/tips from the clients. It was a big no-no. In fact it would get you terminated the minute it was found out. The agency provided us with a christmas bonus and party. As much as it costs to keep your loved one in an assisted living program I am surprised that they are doing this. I would think a christmas party with the staff, members, and all family members would be more fun and cost effective for some. So like Jim said give what you can afford and don't worry about it. __________________ You know you have had too much coffee when someone says,"how are you?", and you say,"good to the last drop."

12-07-2008, 09:07 AM	#5
lou99 Smart Feller Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1	Assisted Living Holiday Fund Does anyone have an opinion on what the proper amount to tip is for an assisted living holiday fund? My dad is in an assisted living center and, similar to a previous center that he was at, there is a holiday fund. I have asked in both places what a typical or appropriate amount is. Neither center has been particularly helpful. The answer is something like "whatever you are comfortable with", although when I have pressed them, the range appears to be something to the effect of $500 - $2000. Assisted Living is quite expensive already, although I have always been led to believe that care givers are grossly underpaid and the fund goes directly do them. Can anyone shed any light on this? Especially anyone who is or knows a care giver. Thanks!

12-07-2008, 09:46 AM	#6
jamesglewisf Doofus Maximus Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Texas Posts: 8,401	Those employees work for a company that is supposed to charge enough for it's services to properly compensate it's employees. It is their responsibility to pay Christmas bonuses, not the patients' responsibility. I don't feel you have any obligation to tip. If you are feeling generous and want to contribute to the fund anyway, then $50-100 or whatever you can afford is fine - whether it is banana bread or $25 or $10. You need to stay within your own budget. Think about what you would normally spend on one person for Christmas and give that. __________________ Jim Lewis - Admin Tipping Etiquette Dining Etiquette JamesGLewis.com iPhone Tip Guide Movies Without Nudity.com To BE or not to BE

11-22-2005, 03:01 PM	#4
tdavis102279 Smart Feller Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 8	I have never heard of anything like that. It almost is rude because they are making one feel bad if they don't contribute. I think it is inappropriate.

06-04-2009, 07:59 AM	#7
carolmillet1 Smart Feller Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 1	which Assisted Living Facility used?

06-04-2009, 11:08 PM	#8
Dude111 An Awesome Dude Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,844	Welcome to the site

07-07-2010, 08:54 AM	#9
thomassetser Smart Feller Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 1	What that means is that you have to make sure you’re going to relate to people well before they can actually help you on a regular basis????

07-07-2010, 09:00 AM	#10
jamesglewisf Doofus Maximus Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Texas Posts: 8,401	I'm not sure to whom you are responding or what exactly you mean. __________________ Jim Lewis - Admin Tipping Etiquette Dining Etiquette JamesGLewis.com iPhone Tip Guide Movies Without Nudity.com To BE or not to BE

10-16-2011, 09:33 AM	#11
givemeadrink Smart Feller Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 1	my mum has been in AL for her long term care needs. these gratuities depend on the facility and the state