Tipping, for better or worse, is very common in American culture. People will often tip even when they don’t think that they got exceptional service, just assuming that it is expected.
This may lead to a situation in which an elderly loved one who is living in a nursing home decides that they are going to tip one of their caregivers. If you see this happening, it’s a red flag that you need to be wary of. It could indicate that your loved one is being financially taken advantage of by the worker.
Most facilities prohibit it
First of all, it is probably prohibited by the nursing home or assisted living facility in the first place. Most of the time, they’re going to have a policy saying that none of the staff can accept tips from the residents or their families.
The reason this policy is set up is what you really want to be worried about, though, which is that tips open up a chance for financial abuse. For example, what if the caregiver tells a resident that they are not going to help them with a task or bring them food, drinks or medication unless they are given a financial gift in return? Very quickly, an elderly person who is dependent on these caregivers may decide to simply pay these “tips” so that they can keep getting care. But it’s very clear that the staff member is just exploiting that elderly individual’s vulnerable position for their own financial gain.
What can you do?
If you believe that financial abuse is occurring in a nursing home, then it’s important to take the time to look into all of your legal options.
