We take goodies, cookies, cupcakes, to my mother in a nursing home. We were told not to bring her stuff because it causes ants. They want me to leave it at the nursing station and they will give her a little each day. I found that when I do that the nurses do not give it to her but pass it out to the staff. The head nurse told me to tell her first and she would be sure that she got the stuff. I know she won't. What can I do? She loves her cookies and candies. Her mind is still very good.
Dad's diet mostly consisted of muffins/cookies and milk, although he would go to the dining room for meals. Our solution, which as approved by the nurses, was to by him a little bar fridge that stood on top of the night stand. It worked well. We would stock up with milk, muffins, cake, etc. It was comfort food because he disliked going to the dining room, and quite frankly, the food was terrible (I tasted a bit during a Christmas celebration).
We periodically bring in treats for the staff -- big jar of wrapped chocolates, platter of brownies, cookies, etc. I imagine that if a staff member sees treats in their space they assume they are to be shared. Maybe they started out labeled, but you know how that can go.
I don't think I'd get all hot and bothered about staff "pilfering" treats.
Is this facility otherwise well-managed? Are they taking good care of Mom?
I know that sometimes food equates with love and you want her to know you care for her, but they do serve desserts in the nursing home and she shouldn't need a constant supply of extras.
Is your mother able to manage airtight containers? If you were to take any treats in a good, stout, clearly-labelled box like that (Tupperware or Lock'n'lock, for example), perhaps there could either be a compromise about this being kept in her room or else it should be possible to make sure that nobody but nobody helps themselves to anything from that box. I can see the point that crumbs or sugary things would attract ants, and obviously no one wants that, but this NH needs to get its act together to ensure that all residents can enjoy their own belongings without fear of filching. Terrible.