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I would pay for both, the main reason is because I think it is good for a person to be out and about, socialize. Being cooped up all the time is a terrible thing.

There is so little for them to look forward to, why not encourage and support it?
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Since your caregiver took your elder out as a treat, and your elder cannot go alone, then yes, I feel you should pay for the lunch for both of them.

You have given us almost no information here. If this becomes frequent have a little sit-down with the worker and tell her/him that you cannot pay for lunches, so going to a restaurant is likely not going to work. There are other ways to have outings.
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I gave my caregiver a budget of incidentals (movie tickets, meals, shopping) that I could support monthly for mom and her to enjoy. Mom had a card-a debit card that I kept loaded with the funds. After a while, the caregiver would carry the card for their outings. It made mom feel good to pickup the check and I was not surprised with expenses because she stayed in budget. The caregiver was good about texting me their outings and pics. It didn’t happen all the time but when it did, mom was elated. Later, when mom became too confused about leaving her comfort zone, the outings ended but I still have the pics of their fun.
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BurntCaregiver Apr 2023
That's a good idea. To have a monthly budget for entertainments.
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Absolutely. That should be the least of your concerns.
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Most definitely yes. I used to take a past client of mine out to eat all the time. My lunch was always paid for. I didn't even have to ask.
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NeedHelpWithMom Apr 2023
You shouldn’t have to ask who is going to pay. An employer should be willing to show appreciation. I certainly would pay for a caregiver’s meal.
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if any friend would offer to take care of your mother and take her out to lunch you would be grateful. Do the same for your mother, and caretaker !!!!!
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I would certainly pay for a caregiver’s lunch. Caregivers don’t make a big salary. They aren’t able to eat out frequently.

If a person enjoys eating out and the caregiver is nice enough to take them out to eat, please pay for the caregiver’s lunch.

I bought my mother’s caregiver her favorite snacks for her to have when she served my mother a snack. She told me that she appreciated it and that no one else had ever been as thoughtful.

Mom loved this caregiver and she was so kind to my mom. I wanted to show my appreciation to her.
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Your choice!

I would. The caregivers that helped out were “there”, truly more than familyx1000. They were both family and friends, caretakers and lifelines. Mom and Dad would have gladly treated them.

it is important to get your parent out in the world. Since you can’t always be there doing it yourself, this is more healthy, stimulating and fun for the elder than staying at home. Field trips are also more work for a care provider than staying at home.
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Yes, you should. My parents’ caregivers took them out, and my parents were happy that they could do that with them. At the end of the meal, parent forked over the credit card for both meals.

I didn’t like it when one of them would order the biggest thing on the menu, eat a few bites, and then have it bagged so she could take it home to eat with her husband for dinner. She was just a little thing and we knew what she was doing. I thought it was a very brash and uncalled for thing to do because she was paid well. Mom never complained, though.
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AliOJ58 Apr 2023
You don’t know what you dont know about other people’s finances - you Amy have kept that family sustained during a bad time
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The definitive answer would be in the contract that you have with the caregiver.

However, if you don't have a contract or the contract doesn't state the specifics, I think the circumstance would dictate whether the meal or snack is reimbursed or not.

For instance, if the caregiver is taking the loved one to an appointment and it is around lunch or breakfast or dinner, then yes, it would be expected that you would reimburse both of them. If the time is snack time, then yes, both meals should be reimbursed.

If you don't like the cost of the meal, you pay for the first time for both of them, and get the parameters in writing for future occurrences.

If this is an ongoing occurrence or not associated with an appointment, then I would pay for the first time, and put your parameters in writing for future outings.

Are you paying for mileage also? Do you have limits on that also? If not, you should.

If the caregiver is setting the appointments, I would suggest that you provide a monthly or per day allowance for outside meals.

My sister's BIL would take the Mom out for a ride, then follow it up with a very fancy, expensive restaurant before taking her home. She would have never gone to that restaurant on her own. He even had the audacity to order an extra meal so that he could eat it later. She paid for it all, then complained about it to others. Once my sister's husband, who reviewed and authorized finances of the Mom, saw the charges, he put a per day limit on the total cost of meals. BIL decided not to take Mom out since. Very sad, however, not out of character.

It is good to have parameters around these types of things. You could always say that higher amounts need to be approved in advance, especially if it is a day with special circumstances.
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