Assisted Living: How much for Staff Christmas Fund?

[JamesMom]

I know there was a thread about a nursing home gift, but this is my mom's first holiday season in an Alzheimers Assisted Living facitilty where residents have complete access to the inside.
I had read some give food, but for the remainder of my mom's birthday cake last week, they suggested putting the leftovers for the staff IN the microwave so the residents won't chow down on it before the staff could get to it. So food is out.

Got a letter from the director saying they are having a fund for the staff. I am deciding how much is enough. There are staff members round the clock (LVN's and just plain help) for the 32 bed facility. There are 2 acitivity directors, I was say about 10-12 staffers, 1 full-time RN and 2 management personel.
The letter says management does not get anything from the fund, personal gifts are prohibited and does not detail how the funds will be distributed other than there will be a catered company dinner and 'something' done with any remaining funds.

These are the people who wipe my mom's butt everyday. The director is the woman who rode with my mom to the ER this past Friday and waited with her until I got there at 11pm and didn't leave until midnight to make sure my mom was alright. [btw- mom was sent complaining of chest pain, but false alarm. She was released at 2am that night] This is a very nice and caring facility and I want to let them know we, as a family, appreciate them. My mom has the money to pay (I am in charge of her finances).

So I am trying to decide between $250 or $500. Too high? Too low? I've never done anything like this but with the number of people involved, I want to do what is right. (BTW - my childrens teacher get a minimum of $25 so I thought $25 per staffer would be a reasonable starting figure).

Thanks in advance.

 

[pearlieq]

I think you should start this year with $250 and try to find out from the staff what was done for them. If you approve of how it was distributed, you can give more next year. If you're unimpressed with how they spent the money, you can try to find other ways to show your appreciation.

I would also consider writing a nice note either to the director of the facility or the individual aides who have really helped your mom. That kind of recognition doesn't cost a thing but it means a LOT to the people who do the work.

 

[Justsyd2]

My mother works in an independent care facility where the residents do this every year for their staff. I can tell you that she honestly appreciates any amount that is given to her because she truly loves her job. The residents are like family to her. Having said that, with over 100 residents, she usually gets a little over two hundred dollars as a Christmas bonus each year after it is divided among the staff because there is a lot of staff in this facility. I think that $25 per person is perfect for where your mother is placed.

 

[Maddle]

My Mom has been in an Assisted Living Facility for about 2 1/2 months. She does not require the care that your mother does, but she does need regular attention and help with bathing, dressing, medicine, etc. There are about 100 - to 130 residents, and the letter outlining the intention to have a staff Christmas fund said they raise about $12,000. I wrote a check for $120. (Same situation: her money, my oversight.) My Mom thought that was too much, and wondered how I came to that number.

I told her that if she was giving tips to individuals, she wouldn't give less then $15 to $20, even though she has been there only a short time. (I know her - she is generous to a fault. I was surprised when she raised an objection.) Surely she would give something to at least six people. The fund will go to more staff members than that, but not to management. The patient caregivers work very hard, are very patient and dedicated. My Mom's overall health and well-being has greatly improved since her arrival.

Plus - I figured it was an average donation. Some gave more and some give less. I kind of thought I was on the cheapo side myself.

Pearlieq suggestion was very good - I think if you are happy with the care, if your mother requires a lot of attentive care and the staff is dedicated, if she has been there about a year, then $250 is a reasonable start point, maybe even $350? See how it is distributed, and you can adjust next year.

Maddle

 

[lecach]

I work for a retirement community with 464 residents. They arent allowed to tip for anything all year but they take up a collection for hourly staff every year. It is divided among the staff according to how many hours were worked during the year. I was here the full year and got my check today for over $700. Last year I had started in late February and got around $600.

I know that our residents give anywhere from $100 to $1000. But I think the suggestion for $250 in your situation sounds just right. Then if you find that all the money is distributed fairly you can give more next year.

 

[DaisiLou]

I know there was a thread about a nursing home gift, .

Where is this thread? I can't seem to find it?

 

[JamesMom]

OP, here.

Well the consensus seems to be go with the $250 and that it what I shall do. Thanks - didn't want to appear 'cheap'.

BTW - here is the thread on the nursing home gifts:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2342992

Thanks again!

 

[wendylovesdisney]

I am a nurse in a nursing home.

We work very hard, for not that much pay.
This year I just commented how I have not seen ONE thing from like the xray companies, etc. We used to get goodie trays here and there at the holidays, but not this year. Our workplace gives us nothing, no bonus, no cookie, no thank you for working so hard. I will work 12 hours on Christmas instead of being home with my kids, as medical staff always work, no matter what the holiday is.

Having said that... I know that the staff would be touched and thankful for something as simple as a box of donuts even.

When you take it, just request that it be given to the STAFF and not left out for the residents. The staff will know where to put it. And please, make it clear that it is for the hardworking medical staff and not the office workers who sit secluded in their offices and never know what is going on it the "real world".

Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for thinking of us!

 

[stude56]

I think you should start this year with $250 and try to find out from the staff what was done for them. If you approve of how it was distributed, you can give more next year. If you're unimpressed with how they spent the money, you can try to find other ways to show your appreciation.

I would also consider writing a nice note either to the director of the facility or the individual aides who have really helped your mom. That kind of recognition doesn't cost a thing but it means a LOT to the people who do the work.

What can you do when the nursing home stops managing the employee Xmas fund? Can one of the residents take it over? If so, how do you organizer that? Thanks!

 

[SharonZ]

Zombie thread - almost 9 years old!

 

[LovesTimone]

What can you do when the nursing home stops managing the employee Xmas fund? Can one of the residents take it over? If so, how do you organizer that? Thanks!

I saw that this was a Zombie thread, but I wanted to comment on your question... I worked in this environment for 12 years... In 3 different facilities... Long term care, 1 each - for profit, non-profit, and assisted living/alzheimer's unit.... Being a Activity director, and working closely with all the other department... We had a Christmas fund that the family members would donate to if they choose to... I will say that in all three facilities I work at went to the on staff Nurse's... not the CNA's as they are considered nurse assistants so they get zero of the money... as well alot of the Nurse's work for agencies in the facilities, they are not employee of the facility... so they get zero of the money... Department such as Therapy, Social Service, Dietary, Activities get zero money. The people who split that money, - the Adminstrator, front office personnel, DON ( Director of Nursing) and the on Staff Nurse, which most of them are in supervisor positions..

If you want to do something for the people that work hard and are hands on with your loved ones... I have some suggestions...

Take cookies, or donuts to each department for them to share... Give to the person or people that you know personally, and thank them in person... things like gift cards, for grocery, wal-mart, are things that they can really use, and need...

Talk to the Therapy director, to see if they need something for the department... Therapy bands, and gait belts, as well as other things to help with hand eye coordination... puzzle, clothes pins, blocks, ask the director what would help out...

Talk to the Activity director, about donations to the department... even donating coffee, and creamer for coffee club is a blessing for them... Magazine, books, movies, volunteer for party, or even bingo prizes which most are snacks or drinks... Donating items to put in the emergency closet... clothing, PJ's, socks, T-shirts, robes, sweaters or light weight jackets, sweat pants, and sweat shirts... size doesn't matter... I have had people arrive wearing nothing but a hospital gown... no family... nothing... so this can really make a difference in a person life...

Dietary director - about donating spices... or ice cream toppings - even things like commercial pot holders, or towels..... the budget in this department is down to the bite... so anything extra helps... I had a family donate commercial cookie sheets, and new cooking utensils...