- Guidelines on when and how much to tip a caregiver
When and how much to tip a caregiver
Many people don’t know when to leave a gratuity, or how much. Knowing a few guidelines can take the awkwardness and uncertainty out of tipping someone who is personally connected to your family.
Factors to consider:
- Length of time in the job position
- Reliability
- Flexibility
- Resourcefulness
- Loyalty
Besides the obvious when a client passes away their are other opportunities to tip a caregiver to show your appreciation for their caring services such as;
- Death of a client
- When client moves to care facility
- Recognized Holidays
- Caregiver’s birthday
- Above and beyond performed task(s)
Caregivers who are dedicated to their client(s) almost always go above and beyond what is expected of them. Unfortunately it is sad to report that they are often quickly cut off emotionally and financially by the family members when a client passes away, and are immediately out of a job.
Yes, it is a paid position to be a formal caregiver but they do have to plan for financial uncertainty to cushion the period between jobs. Tipping is a great way to thank your caregiver and express your appreciation for their services.
How to deal with the last invoice without it being awkward
You can send send a note expressing your gratitude and ask that your caregiver to send the last invoice so that you can settle up. Hold off on sending your tip until you receive the invoice, only then should send a final and separate tip. If you send the tip early your caregiver may feel guilty, and no longer want to send the invoice for any previous services rendered.
Caregivers are not paid much and typically work on an hourly basis so to offer a traditional gift is nice but not what is needed. What a caregiver really needs if a client passes away is money.
Top 10 additional reasons to tip a caregiver
- Your caregiver gave you the gift of time for yourself
- Sick days, personal days, holidays, and vacations were not paid to caregiver (in most cases)
- Taxes are paid on earnings by caregiver
- Caregiver typically covers the cost of the accounting throughout the year
- Extra care time given to the senior periodically and not added to the invoices
- Additional duties not originally discussed in the salary were happily completed
- All extra time spent to communicate by phone, text or email for any reason
- Any risks (financial/ethical/physical) is on the end of the caregiver
- Income lost without senior to provide care for, and could result in taking 2-3 months to find a new senior client
- Income never steady due to sickness (isolation), hospital stays, vacation, family visits etc.
- Caregiver is leaving due to a move or other opportunity
- Caregiver helps to facilitate additional support from other caregivers
It is never too late to put things in writing, or to do things differently with your next caregiver!
Home Care invoicing is especially important because clients can obtain tax benefits from services rendered from a caregiver.
General suggested amount to tip a caregiver is a client passes away
1 MONTH COMPENSATION for respite caregiver helps part time (less than 15 hours/week)
(take average of the last 6 months)
2 MONTHS COMPENSATION for full time live-out (take average of the last 6 months)
3 MONTHS COMPENSATION for full time live-in caregiver
(usually the same every month)
Hopefully this article helps you to tip a caregiver when it is appropriate to do so! Your caregiver is lucky to have you as an employer because clearly you care too! I want to personally thank you for looking after the people who are doing this amazing work:)
Danielle Foley
