Christmas Gifts for Nursing Home Staff

[HelloChum]

Any DISers work in a nursing home or have any good gift ideas for nursing staff?

Nurses/CNAs have been very attentive and caring to my family member and I want to do something special to acknowledge/think of them during the holidays...any thoughts...gift cards, candy, group gift,...what is an appropriate amount to spend? Can anyone say what they have typically received/given/liked?

Many thanks!

 

[akcire]

What about manicure/pedicure certificates for the people who are her primary care givers?

But I have another tip, that I have used numerous times for better care, attention for friends/family; when someone is in a longer term hospitalization or nursing home setting. I will bring a box of candy/cookies twice a week for the staff. I even did this when my grandmother was in a coma (the food is not for the patient, it is for the staff), this way if they wanted a treat they had to come all the way into her room. It really does work. Sometimes even the Drs. would make an extra trip by the room, which in my book is totally worth the cost of some cookies.

 

[foreUT]

I found that gift cards are a good gift. I have given WalMart and Target, since they can be used for food and other items.

 

[aja319se]

Hi
I work in a nursing home, a lot of the rules are very strict in regards to presents/ gifts being accepted. You should call first and ask what the guidelines are. We are not allowed to accept gift certificates, or individual gifts. Gifts for the floor however are ok in small denominations. Food always goes over well! Don't forget that there are 3 shifts I sometimes think the 3rd shift gets overlooked. Even if it is just a sincere note or letter I am sure that would be greatly appreciated as well.

I'm glad to hear that you are happy with the care your loved one is recieving

 

[princess momma]

Anywhere that I've worked we haven't been allowed to accept gifts unless it was something for the whole nursing staff, so double check with the nursing home to see what their protocol is.

A nice heartfelt card is the best. And anything you do will be appreciated. Everyone loves when a family brings in something a little different than the usual candy and cookies. Fruit is great. Cheese, sausage, and crackers for the break room are good too.

 

[smkiya]

I'm a nurse, I work in a hospital and the best gift you could give would be FOOD! I really can't think of a better gift for the staff. We always appreciate it when families bring in cookies, candy, soft pretzels, etc. Also, all of the staff is able to enjoy it... nurses, aides, activities coordinator, social worker, case manager, etc. Remember that it is a large team that provides care, and this is the best way to say thanks. A pp was right, don't forget the night shift.

 

[smkiya]

Fruit is great. Cheese, sausage, and crackers for the break room are good too.

A family brought in a large edible arrangement, we devoured it in 10 minutes! Loved it, and we all remember that patient and their family, its been almost a year! That was the best!

 

[daughtersrus]

Before you go out and spend the money, check with the nursing home and make sure that they don't have any rules against giving gifts to the staff. My dad was in two different nursing homes a few years ago before he died. The first one was private the and second one was VA. They both had rules against giving gifts to the staff. If we wanted to, we could bring a group gift (maybe a fruit basket or something for everyone to share) but we couldn't give anything to them as individuals. They said that they prohibit that because they don't want anyone to be accused of taking advantage of their elderly patients.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

A family brought in a large edible arrangement, we devoured it in 10 minutes! Loved it, and we all remember that patient and their family, its been almost a year! That was the best!

I was thinking of the same thing! They will even put in chocolate covered strawberries - YUM!

 

[Sarah_Rose]

My mom is the head nurse in a nursing home (she's worked there for over 20 years - she's retiring next spring!) and I agree with the PP about food gifts. The nurses at her home were not allowed to accept individual gifts. Homemade baked goods always went over well, as well as an offer to bring coffee/tea or hot chocolate for the staff in from a nearby coffee place.

If you do go for a group gift, try to include the evening/night staff as well. If you only visit during normal daytime hours, then you might not have even seen them, but they also provide the same level of care and attention as the day staff - ofter more, because they aren't as busy with doctor's rounds and medication dispensation as the day staff, so they have more time to spend with each individual resident!

 

[HelloChum]

Actually, my original idea was an edible arrangement--have been to parties where everyone was thrilled with them and I've received one and thought it was great! Although my mother did not think it was a good idea and poo-pooed it.

I like the idea and I think it may go over well and may just go ahead with it. Food has gone over well when I've brought it.
I could have it sent mid afternoon before shift change--to atleast try to atleast have it shared over 2 shifts!

Thanks for the heads up on the night shift--you are right, I don't see them and now I feel bad that it had never occured to me--I would not want to slight anyone at all!

One other area where I would like to avoid any faux paus--the nursing home is jewish, we are not and I believe the majority of the staff is not. Should I send the arrangement during Hannukah--or just after but before Christmas? And simply say Happy Holidays? I can over think things sometimes--but I don't want to offend anyone!!

Thanks again--

 

[micheleq]

A "Happy Holidays and Thanks for your Kindness" note on the Edible Arrangement I think is best. You can send it in an time during the holiday season.

My mother brought items to the nurses station at the home my grandfather was at. A few times she brought boxes of coffee and donughts, and at the holidays she brought in a pastry platter for all to share. I think an Edible Arrangement is a great idea!!

 

[npmommie]

What about manicure/pedicure certificates for the people who are her primary care givers?

But I have another tip, that I have used numerous times for better care, attention for friends/family; when someone is in a longer term hospitalization or nursing home setting. I will bring a box of candy/cookies twice a week for the staff. I even did this when my grandmother was in a coma (the food is not for the patient, it is for the staff), this way if they wanted a treat they had to come all the way into her room. It really does work. Sometimes even the Drs. would make an extra trip by the room, which in my book is totally worth the cost of some cookies.

So you had to entice them with food to get them to come into the room?


OP....
nurses and staff in nursing homes work HARD. it is back breaking exhausting work. That is so nice you want to acknowledge them.
I am sure they will appreciate any gift of food or goodies you give them!

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

Hi
I work in a nursing home, a lot of the rules are very strict in regards to presents/ gifts being accepted. You should call first and ask what the guidelines are. We are not allowed to accept gift certificates, or individual gifts. Gifts for the floor however are ok in small denominations. Food always goes over well! Don't forget that there are 3 shifts I sometimes think the 3rd shift gets overlooked. Even if it is just a sincere note or letter I am sure that would be greatly appreciated as well.

I'm glad to hear that you are happy with the care your loved one is recieving

Agreed!!! I work 7p-7a in a hospital and our shift gets whats leftover, if possible bring in soething in the am and then again in the pm not necessarily on the same day, but it would be MUCHLY appreciated by night shift. Just last week a family send a card and goodies and addressed it to night shift, day shift opened it and we got what was left(
food is always good sometimes we are so busy we dont get a chance to eat so somethign to pick at is always nice

 

[Fire14]

I'm with everybody else and I work nights. I'd LOVE and ediable arangement, fresh fruit is always a nice treat. We have had mixed nut jars, fresh fuit baskets, chocolate boxes, cheryl cookie baskets, popcorn tins (ok but not best idea), Fresh flower displays, Pointsettas (i'd avoid myself- our place looks like pointsetta central), Cheese and cracker trays. Veggie trays. we have even had people bring in cases of grapefruits and oranges. just a simple thank you goes a long way after a long shift. a favorite of us on the night shift is PIZZA, call a local pizza place and arrange for pizza delivery one night- granted we are a smaller place and night shift consists of 2 nurses and 4 Aides.

 

[Poohlovr]

I totally agree with checking the gift policy. I've never worked anywhere where we were allowed to accept individual gifts. Food, however, is always a big hit.

Things we've gotten that were a hit--

Fruit, either an edible arrangement or a fruit basket.
Popcorn tins
Donuts or other pastries
Candy
Sandwich assortment and chips
Pizza (Don't get too fancy since so many people don't like a lot of the toppings. I would suggest cheese and then a single meat topping if you go with pizza)

Someone mentioned making sure to get enough so that the 3rd shift is able to enjoy the treat. I would like to go a step further and add to make sure you are sending enough for everyone on a shift. I've seen people send one small box of candy for each shift. That works well for a smaller staff, but we had 12 nurses/aides working on 3rd shift on our floor and even more on the other shifts. A box with 10 chocolate turtles doesn't go too far for that many staff. Also, if you send candy, consider that some people might be diabetic, so a few pieces of sugar free candy would be welcome.

No matter what you end up doing, I'm sure the staff will appreciate it.

 

[Redwitch]

Also a nursing home worker... My suggestion is to ask about the number of staff on each shift. Between Head RN, Unit Clerk, RNAC, Social Worker, CNA, Housekeeping, Laundry Aides and Activity Staff we probably have 40 or more different people on staff for our unit. Also, are they getting therapy? That is a different department all together that is often forgotten.

I second the gift for each shift idea. We are pigs - we will not leave anything for the next shift. You can give smaller amounts for 3 -11 and smaller still for 11 - 7.

We love food, sometimes something a little healthier is appreciated. If your not into food - pens (black, red, green), ID lanyards, antibacterial gel, lotion or such is appreciated.

 

[monorailsilver]

What about manicure/pedicure certificates for the people who are her primary care givers?

But I have another tip, that I have used numerous times for better care, attention for friends/family; when someone is in a longer term hospitalization or nursing home setting. I will bring a box of candy/cookies twice a week for the staff. I even did this when my grandmother was in a coma (the food is not for the patient, it is for the staff), this way if they wanted a treat they had to come all the way into her room. It really does work. Sometimes even the Drs. would make an extra trip by the room, which in my book is totally worth the cost of some cookies.

Honestly I would not eat food from a patients/residents room. I have wanderers where I work & I'd be afraid of germs from non-washed hands roaming thru the boxes(yes the staff may also not wash their hands but I work in a small place & I see everything).

Actually, my original idea was an edible arrangement--have been to parties where everyone was thrilled with them and I've received one and thought it was great! Although my mother did not think it was a good idea and poo-pooed it.

I like the idea and I think it may go over well and may just go ahead with it. Food has gone over well when I've brought it.
I could have it sent mid afternoon before shift change--to atleast try to atleast have it shared over 2 shifts!

Thanks for the heads up on the night shift--you are right, I don't see them and now I feel bad that it had never occured to me--I would not want to slight anyone at all!

One other area where I would like to avoid any faux paus--the nursing home is jewish, we are not and I believe the majority of the staff is not. Should I send the arrangement during Hannukah--or just after but before Christmas? And simply say Happy Holidays? I can over think things sometimes--but I don't want to offend anyone!!

Thanks again--

We got an edible arrangement & it was YUMMY! I like the pizza idea too.

One suggestion I have is to bring in whatever you have after Christmas-like during that week or even the first week of January. Where I work it is only 45 beds so not alot but we get alot of food-cookies, candy & alot gets thrown away because it sits out for so long.

Or how about a bag of bagels & some cream cheese/butter & a box of Joe (I don't drink coffee but it is stiill nice).

As for the Jewish nursing home, I also worked in one of those about 10 years ago for about 10 years. Most of the staff is not Jewish but there are a few. It was never an issue to bring stuff in at Hannuka time or Christmas time (say What Christmas Time...you better watch out you better not cry-sorry I was thinking Springsteen).

Where I worked we were allowed to bring in outside food but it could only be eaten in our break room since it was a kosher home and we had to use paper/plastic unless we brought stuff from home.

Another idea is a giant sub this way it can be divided & chilled for the other shifts with some sides. I would do pizza if there was a way for them to heat it up or heck ask the 11-7 staff if they really want to eat pizza at that time of night.

BTW, thank you for thinking of the staff.