A resident offers you a tip for the care provided. The correct response is to

• A. Gladly accept the tip
• B. Thank the resident and say tips cannot be accepted
• C. Tell the resident you can accept only small tips
• D. Split the tip with coworkers

Answer: (B)

Maintaining professional boundaries with residents is being tested here. Accepting a tip from a resident can create expectations, appear to influence care, or be seen as a form of compensation for services, which isn’t appropriate in caregiving. The best response is to politely thank the resident and explain that tips cannot be accepted. This protects both the resident and the caregiver, keeps care focused on the resident’s needs rather than money, and aligns with standard policies and ethical guidelines in caregiving settings. If the resident wants to show appreciation, you can acknowledge it with thanks and follow the facility’s policy on how gifts or expressions of gratitude are handled.