My husband is in a Minnesota Alzheimer's facility. Favorite aides
return money he gives them as they're not allowed to receive tips.
That distresses me. Some do this tiring, thankless work,
concientiously and cheerfully, and work double shifts because they
need money. Tell me how I can give money or gift certificates they
WOULD be able to accept?

Difficult if their rules prevent them accepting tips. Do they have to
make their own coffee/food on their meal breaks? Could you buy them
biscuits, snacks, supplies, a microwave or equipment for their rest
room? A radio, a television?
Just my initial thoughts.
answerfinder-ga

It's best to avoid going against the rules of the facility. Even
though they do good work the rules have obviously been made for a good
reason.

The nicest way to give them back something in return is to call them
over for a free dinner or lunch at a fancy restaurant or something
like that. You may even explain this to the trustees at the facility
if you feel you will be doing something against their rules.

Based on my experience in the mental health field, where the
policies are similar if not identical, taking them out to
dinner would also be against policy. About the only thing 
that is allowed is to make a gift to the aides as a group,
or the facility in general, as answerfinder-ga noted.

Something which can be shared by everyone is more acceptable,
and you can solicit input from the aides and the facility
manager as to what would be preferable.

sublime1-ga

I must echo sublime1's comment. Every hospital in which I have worked,
had a strict policy against tipping or gifts. However, a gift in
general, to all the staff, was accepted. While dinner out was not
allowed, sending in pizza or dinuts, was allowed, as long as everyone
was able to participate,

Patients and family often sent nice cards or flowers in appreciation.
Most health care workers are there because they care about people, and
find the work rewarding enough. Kind words on a card are appreciated
more than you know!

You are very kind to think of the staff that cares for your husband!

Sincerely,
crabcakes

What about making a donation to their favorite charity in their name? 
It is not really something they can refuse as they can't control
whether you do it or not and it gets the message across to them about
how much you appretiate the work that they do.

djbaker-ga

Gee, it seems a shame not to be able to reward the aides who go above
and beyond those who only go through the motions.  But rules are rules
-- however, it requires more effort and some inguenuity on the
family's part to recognize these individuals.  If you've come to
Google Answers for suggestions, you seem intent on making that happen.

My dad has Alzheimer's and, believe me, he is *no* treat to care for. 
I wish I could treat his aides to some of these niceties, but I'm
working three jobs myself.

Cash is most certainly what they need so writing a glowing
recommendation for  those special aides' personnel file really goes a
long way at raise time.  Hopefully, and with enough letters in their
file, that might bounce them into a better pay grade.  You have no
idea how employees appreciate this extension of your kindness.  Very
few people take time out of their busy schedules to actually
hand-write a formal letter and employers recognize this.

If they're working two shifts, another thing they don't have is time
-- especially to be entertained.  Does the Home have a movie night? 
Could you talk with the management about signing up with a service
like NetFlix or something similar for a year or maybe six months?
http://www.netflix.com/Default

It also sounds like these folks could use a little pampering of their
own.  Supplement their grocery store coffee with a gourmet blend. 
*ALL* days go better with a decent cup of joe.  You could actually
make a large gift basket with many different pamp-o-rama items in it.
http://www.leafnbean.com

How about some fancy hand soaps?
http://store.crabtree-evelyn.com/milledsoaps.html

A room spray to freshen up the environment?
http://www.stonewallkitchen.com/prdsell.aspx?L0=FineHomeKeepingProducts
http://www.kalyx.com/store/proddetail.cfm/ItemID/25539.0/CategoryID/9500.0/SubCatID/2100.0/file.htm

Arrange with a mobile hairdresser to come in and give 10 free lottery
haircuts for the aides.  Or have a foot massager make an out-call
visit.

This one's a lot of trouble but if they have a TheraPet night (or
allowed one) and an agency is available in your area, this would
certainly be a treat for the staff and the residents.   Our
four-legged friends always enliven an environment.   Or maybe you know
a singer or could arrange with a school glee club or chamber group to
come in for a concert evening.
http://www.therapet.org

A bit on the pricey side, but you could also donate a massage chair to 
the Home and take it as a charity write-off (I think).
http://www.premiermassagechairs.com/php2026.html

That's all my noggin can come up with at the moment.  I hope some of
these suggestions are helpful.

Best regards,
V