It's a load off your shoulders to know that your elderly parent is receiving top-notch care from a home health aide. And, while you might not be around enough to thank the person for providing such dedicated care day after day, you can show your appreciation in different ways. Many home health care agencies allow their employees to accept tips and gifts from families, and doing so allows you to show just how much you're thankful for the care your family member is receiving. Here's a guide on exactly how much to give and when.
Tipping
Tipping is a simple way to show thanks in a manner that many home health aides will appreciate. Although it's not conventional to tip on a weekly basis or each time you visit your elderly parent and see the care he or she is providing, many people choose to tip around the holidays or at the conclusion of the health aide's partnership with your family. Forbes magazine recommends tipping one week's pay for a home health aide who has spent an entire year helping your family. If the person has been providing assistance to your elderly parent for six months, tip about half a week's pay. To avoid a potentially awkward situation, it's best to first contact the health care agency like Connecting Hearts Home Care to confirm if it allows its aides to receive tips.
Gift Giving
If you don't wish to give a tip, buying a gift is a suitable way to convey your gratitude. Think of your conversations with the home health aide and evaluate if they've revealed any of his or her interests or hobbies. If possible, tailor your gift toward these areas. For example, if the person has talked about a love of travel, consider a gift such as a new set of luggage or a digital camera. If you can't think of the right thing to buy, opt for a gift card from a business that you know the health aide will frequent, such as a popular restaurant, supermarket or gas station.
Note Of Thanks
Giving a tip or a gift isn't an alternative to taking a moment to express your thanks. Although it's polite to share your appreciative sentiments in person, writing a note of thanks or finding an appropriate card and including a personalized message never goes out of style. The key to writing a successful note of thanks is to clearly explain why you're thankful and then provide an example that illustrates your point. For example, you could write that you appreciate how patiently the person acts around your parent and then share an anecdote in which you saw the person exemplifying this quality.
Share29 June 2015
In the past, when I thought about home health care, I pictured an elderly man or woman stuck in bed just waiting to take his or her final breath. What I have recently learned is that there are people of all ages that can benefit from home health care specialists. When my niece was diagnosed with a rare liver disorder, our family rallied and did everything possible to make the new way of life as easy for my sister as possible. We spent hours over at her house helping with the baby, but then, my sister said she didn't need us as much --She had hired a home care aid. I hope this helps you in the future.
