Although many senior living communities might seem similar and offer the same amenities, once you start touring, you’ll find that there can be many differences between them. One of the best ways to find the right place for your loved one is to ask questions during your tours. The answers to your questions should be given freely and cheerfully, and if your tour guide doesn’t have the answers, they should offer to find out for you. A quality facility should make both residents and visitors feel as safe and comfortable as possible.
Which level of care is the right fit?
Before you get started, it’s important to understand the three basic levels of care offered at most senior living communities: independent living, assisted living, and memory care.
- Independent living: For active seniors who need little to no help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
- Assisted living: For active seniors who need some help with ADLs, such as bathing, toileting, or medication reminders.
- Memory care: For seniors who need specialized dementia or Alzheimer’s care.
The questions we’ve included below can be tailored according to the level of care your loved one requires.
Questions to Ask on a Senior Living Tour
Wherever you tour and whatever level of care your loved one needs, these questions can help you get a sense of whether the community is a good fit. Remember: don’t be shy! Your loved one will live here, so the more questions you ask, the greater your peace of mind will be when making a decision.
How does your community welcome a new resident?
The first days and weeks in a new community can significantly impact how you or your aging loved one feels about their new home. Ask the guide about what you can expect, along with support systems in place for adjusting to a new environment.
You want to know that staff members take the time to get to know their new residents and make an effort to welcome newcomers. Ask about what type of engagement you can expect, what questionnaires they may have to better understand their residents, and how much time staff will spend with new community members during the first few weeks.
What kind of training does your team undergo?
You want what’s best for yourself or your aging loved one, which means asking about what type of training staff undergoes to work in the community. A well-educated and certified staff helps facilitate a satisfied and happy living experience.
Ask about company compliance standards and whole-person care. Listen to what the team has to say about its philosophy, orientation practices, and evaluations. You can also inquire about the number of team members in each department, such as nursing, social activities, the kitchen, therapy, and others.
What types of activities and amenities are available?
Most senior living communities offer a monthly calendar or schedule to encourage residents to be engaged and active. Ask about what types of activities are offered. There should be a wide variety of activities to suit different interests, energy levels, social preferences, and care requirements.
Some places encourage residents to have a say in activity planning through questionnaires, suggestion boxes, or an activities committee. Make sure the staff actively pursues the residents’ input while also offering opportunities for growth. Look for activities that are intellectually engaging, physically active, sociable, or even spiritual.
When it comes to amenities, these might include pools, gyms, activity rooms, outdoor spaces, movie theaters, libraries, transportation, or anything else that will help your loved one feel at home.
How much say do residents have? How do you handle conflicts or complaints?
Besides social activities, ask about how much influence residents have in their care plans, activities, meal preparation, and more. Does the senior facility have a Resident Council? What about Town Hall meetings that engage residents, staff, and even family members in the community’s future? Having input over their environment and care will help your loved one feel at ease in their new home.
How do you track residents’ happiness?
One of the biggest indicators of a thriving community is how well it measures resident satisfaction. Many facilities offer surveys or small focus groups to gain a perspective on the overall well-being of the community.
How do you foster a sense of community?
Ask about what type of relationship staff and residents have, how they get to know one another, and what type of group or personalized engagement residents can expect.
Your loved one’s potential new home should have both formal and informal ways of creating a sense of community.
What security and safety measures do you have in place?
A comprehensive safety protocol should include features such as secure entry points, emergency response systems, and regular safety drills to prepare for various scenarios. Are residents given an emergency call button to wear? Are there regular check-ins? For memory care facilities, are the doors locked to prevent elopement? These measures are designed to provide peace of mind to you and your loved one.
To keep everyone safe at all times, ongoing efforts should also include regular staff training, well-lit common areas, and monitoring systems.
How do you ensure personalized medical care and support for residents?
No matter what level of care community you tour, ask whether staff are trained to care for residents with memory loss or Alzheimer’s, administer medication, and whether nurses or in-house physicians are available. Even if your loved one is moving to independent living, it’s worth noting how much attention will be paid to their needs as they get older, start to show signs of dementia, or suffer an illness or injury.
What types of care do you offer?
Understanding the types of care offered by a senior living community can help you determine whether it can meet your loved one’s current and future needs. Understanding your options helps you assess whether the community can accommodate changes in health or mobility over time. This question also allows you to understand the scope of services available and whether they can be tailored to your loved one’s unique needs.
What medical services are available on-site? How do you handle medical emergencies?
Asking about on-site medical services helps you rest assured that your loved one will have access to necessary healthcare without needing to leave the premises. On-site medical services can include regular visits from doctors, physical therapy, mental health care, pharmacy services, and emergency medical care. Such availability allows prompt attention to your loved one’s health issues and a continuity of care, which are especially important for managing chronic conditions or unexpected medical needs.
What’s your policy on pets?
Some places allow pets; others do not. Understand the community’s policy regarding pets and whether there are any exceptions, such as service dogs or therapy dogs.
What are the costs and billing procedures?
Get a detailed explanation of the total costs, payment options, and billing process so you won’t be surprised with unexpected bills or invoices.
What are the transportation options available for residents?
Some places provide scheduled shuttle buses that take residents to local supermarkets, malls, big-box stores, banks, or other errand-style places. Many also offer specific medical transport for off-site doctor appointments.
Find out, too, whether private transportation is available for residents who need to go somewhere other than errands or doctor appointments.
Are there any restrictions on personal belongings or room modifications?
These policies help you assess whether the community allows enough flexibility for your loved one to bring cherished items that make their living environment feel more like home. Since many older individuals will be moving from much larger spaces, like houses, to smaller apartments, you should know ahead of time what furniture can be brought over versus what needs to be left behind – and what you’ll have to buy for the new place.
Also, ask about apartment modifications. These include painting the walls, hanging frames, or installing TV mounts. Knowing about room modification limitations will also help you plan for mobility aids or other personal needs.
Can you provide references or testimonials from current residents and their families?
The staff shouldn’t hesitate to offer you a list of references you can check.
What to Ask for Independent Living
These questions are great to ask when considering independent living:
What floor plans are available?
The most common set-ups for independent living communities are:
- Studios
- 1-bedrooms
- 2-bedrooms
- Independent, separate cottages
Try to see as many types of living units as possible so you and your loved one can get a sense of how much space there’ll be and what type of layout they can expect.
What levels of housekeeping are available?
Most places offer housekeeping services as part of the monthly cost of living. Find out how often they come and what tasks are included:
- Laundry
- Light housekeeping
- Changing bedsheets
- Taking out garbage
- Deep cleaning appliances such as refrigerators or washing machines
What to Ask for Assisted Living and Memory Care
Because assisted living and memory care include greater amounts of attention, we recommend asking these questions on your tour of the space:
Do you have staff on-site 24/7?
Assisted living and memory care facilities typically have teams that work both day and night to ensure the health, wellness, and happiness of residents. However, it may be worth asking what type of personnel will be available 24/7. You can include questions about bathing care, dressing, medication management, safety, and even nursing practitioners.
Ask about which staff are on-site or on-call during non-business hours in case of an emergency, and make sure you know how to reach them and how they can reach you.
What kind of meal services do you offer?
When looking for an assisted living or memory care facility, ask about the dining choices. This includes meal plans, menu options, and meal locations, such as cafeterias, cafes, snack shops, or dining rooms.
A good assisted living community will offer dietary accommodations and plenty of delicious and nutritious options.
What role does family play?
Another important question concerns the family. The community should not only allow but also encourage visits, volunteer opportunities, and even participation in social activities. Can families meet with various departments and staff to discuss matters concerning their loved ones? Does the family have any say in their loved one’s preferences or needs?
Are there unique design elements for residents with memory care needs?
Your loved one may become easily overwhelmed due to their cognitive challenges, but both of you need to know that this isn’t unusual.
Many memory care communities are therefore designed with unique features to help create a comfortable, inviting atmosphere for residents, since those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia tend to process visual and spatial information differently. Whether it’s a circular floor plan to help residents better navigate hallways, 24/7 entrance security, or varying wall textures and coloring, assessing these aesthetics is an important step in choosing a memory care community.
Tips for Your Senior Living Tour
Before you tour a potential senior living facility, consider the following tips:
- Show up about 10 minutes early. This gives you a chance to candidly observe the residents and staff.
- Talk to residents, family, and staff about their experience there. Are they happy? Is there a high staff turnover? Are there common complaints from the residents?
- Ask to see the most recent state survey. This should provide you with unbiased information on factors such as cleanliness and complaints.
- If your tour doesn’t include eating spaces or community spaces, ask if you can see them. If it’s during a meal, look at the quality of the food. Does everyone seem to be enjoying their meal?
- Look for signs of happy, satisfied residents: do they decorate the outsides of their doors? Are there games, groups, or activities going on? Do residents seem excited to see you and your loved one? Do they seem well cared for, clean, and engaged? Can you picture your loved one living and thriving there?
Choosing the Right Senior Living Community
Choosing the right senior community can feel like a never-ending search. Hopefully, these questions will provide insight during your visits and tours, helping you or your aging loved one identify the best residential environment for their needs.
New Perspective offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care for those in the Midwest. Contact New Perspective today to schedule a tour of one of our beautiful communities.