Mom is 97 and has Alzheimer's. She has 24-hour Medicaid home care with 2 rotating aides (1 does 4 days, the other does the weekend) ever since dad passed away in January. This is the first time major holidays are coming up. Do aides normally spend Thanksgiving and Christmas overnight with the patient? Mom doesn't like to leave the apartment so I don't think any of us will have her over for a holiday dinner. We can bring dinner to her of course, but wondering about the aides at that time of year.
If private pay, ask if they are willing to work on holiday - probably for more pay (when I used to work holidays, I got time and a half). You might offer to bring a fully cooked meal for the provider(s) who work on holiday and your mom. Just cook two dinners or cater the one at mom's house. And a couple of gifts would be nice, too.
Before getting aids on board - you might ask mom if she wants to attend at your house. Some elders still like the holidays. Of course if you have non-maskers or a really full house, it might not be safe for her.
My mother had private caregivers that she and I hired. I always took my turn once a week so I could have a good idea of what was going on with my mom. For holidays, I would work out a schedule that gave everyone some time for church and family. They did not ask for holiday pay, but they always got a Christmas bonus. The last couple of years, because of Covid and her mental state, I discouraged my sons and their families from coming for a family meal, so my husband and I would spend the day and eat the holiday meal with my mom and have the grandchildren over to our house for a family meal on an alternate day when I wasn't with my mom.
Last Christmas and Easter were just plain grim. My mom had no idea what day it was, and had eating issues that made mealtimes pretty horrible. The only reason I was there was because I felt it was my duty.
Husband and I will be eating a meal with mom and aunt and the sitters will be welcome to join us. Both seniors do not go out.
If through an agency they may get "holiday pay" (most likely you will be charged extra for the holiday) It is also possible that you may not get your regular caregivers for the holiday if they are "senior" staff members they may get a choice of days off.
If you have hired them privately you can ask if they want the day off. If so you may have to find another caregiver for the day. If not I would offer bonus pay for the holiday. Probably Time and a half or double time.
What did you do on other holidays like Easter, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, July 4th (assuming you are in the USA) and did either of them ask for their birthday off, their spouses or a child's birthday off?
Why can't you bring holiday dinner to Mom? Just a few people. You can always have the big meal Friday or the weekend.
I would think that a half day each or one gets Thanksgiving and one gets Christmas or maybe your family can step up and plan on spending both days with her so the aides can be with their families.