Do caregivers usually bring food that they make or buy for the person they care for? Or buy things without asking?

The answers to this are probably as individual as the caregivers and the people they care for. If it were me, I'd have a conversation with the caregiver and express my gratitude for their kindness. I would find out whether they expect to be reimbursed for their expense, and work with them to agree on limits either way, to prevent either an unexpected bill or financial burden on the caregiver. Typically they aren't super well paid, so I would probably feel more comfortable either paying for everything, or accepting only a minimal amount; a meal or some treats here and there.

To address your question, I suspect it's pretty common. A good caregiver is a nurturing person who likes to do special little things to make their charge more comfortable.

Why not? She sounds thoughtful.

auntreky20, welcome to the forum. It's not unusual for a hired caregiver to bring in things for their client to enjoy. Especially if the client is easy to work for and really shows signs of appreciation.


My Dad's weekday and also his weekend caregivers were great. The weekday caregiver would stop and get Dad a breakfast meal from a fast-food place. Dad's weekend caregiver would cook from scratch and box up items for the freezer for Dad's weekday caregiver to use. She would also bring over left-overs from their own family dinner, and her sisters would make bake goods for "Mr. Bob" to enjoy. Dad loved all of this :)


I tried to pay for the food, but the caregivers said "no", it was their threat.

if it’s her gifting, yeah it’s ok.

Is this a caregiver you have hired?
Is she expected to cook for your parents?
Does she cook what they want/need and are the groceries provided?
I would discuss this with the caregiver or her facility and ask them this question.
The tennis ball things is, imho, just a nothing. Anyone might have these available who does care. They are typically used and very cheap.
But food is expensive.
So again, this is to discuss with her agency if hired through one, or with her.

When you have a caregiver you hire yourself you generally define just what your expectations are of meals, cooking, how much, how often, and what they are comfortable making of the suggest menu. Then the grocery shopping is done by the caregiver with the person they care for, or done as part of hourly duties.

So I think the important thing here is define what YOU WANT THE CAREGIVER TO DO.
Or what the caregiver thinks he/she IS doing.
Because at the end of month you really don't want a shopping bill landing on the table.

Just openly discuss, good luck, and hope you'll update us.

auntreky20: Looks like you've found a generous caregiver. Hip hip hooray.

What makes you think they make or buy? Many times caregiver will give you things that were given to them or the company by other people or families they take care of.

Personally, unless the caregiver is someone who discussed this food arrangement with me, I would be leery. Who's paying for this food? Is this your parents' request? People do things out of the goodness of their heart. People also take advantage of elderly.

The more I think about it the more I think its unprofessional. Its a nice gester but it could be her getting too involved with your parents. They aren't friends or family but Clients. Cooking and buying a cake are taking away from her earnings.

Burnt hasn't chimed in yet. She wascan aide and now owns her own business.

I recall in my HCA ( Home Care Aid) training that bringing in food cooked from the caregiver's home is not allowed- because the conditions and safety are a liability. What if the client became ill from a food borne illness or unsanitary food prep. conditions? Cooking food the client pays for and the caregiver prepares and cooks in the client's home is ok, however. And yes, of course the food could be just as poorly cooked or prepared in an unsanitary condition in the client's home but the liability is less if it's done in the client's home.