What are Questions for touring Assisted Living Communities

When you’re ready to tour a senior living community, it’s important to ask questions.  The community will have someone, likely their Admissions/Sales Director, to take you on a tour of the entire community.

This is just a list to help get you started.  You should feel comfortable asking anything that comes to mind as you tour.  The staff will be more than happy to answer any questions.  Keep in mind, they are they to help you! They are not trying to hold back information, but sometimes they do these tours several times a day.  Everyone is different on the information they want to know, so speak up and ask questions.

         STAFFING

1. Are staff members onsite 24/7?

2. Do you have LPNs or Med Techs at night?

3. Are staff members subjected to background checks? (This is mandatory in the industry)

4. Is the staff trained on elder abuse and neglect? (This is mandatory in the industry)

5. Does the community have a policy to report suspected abuse?

COMMUNITY

1.    Are your residences furnished or unfurnished?

2.    Do you provide full size refrigerators or small apt. size?

3.    Can residents decorate and personalize their own spaces?

4.    Is internet access provided? Wi-Fi?

5.    What is your pet policy? Is there a deposit?  Is it refundable?

6.    Is housekeeping included?

7.    Is my loved one allowed to do their own laundry?  Do you charge to do laundry?

8.    Do you allow cameras in resident rooms and what is the specific policy regarding cameras?

9.    Are residents allowed to have alcohol in their apartments?

Health Care

1.    Do you have nurses on staff? How many and what shifts?

1. Who is the Medical Director and how often does he see residents?

2. Do you have transportation for doctor’s appointments?

3. Who coordinates home health care visits if needed?

4. What hospice groups do you work with?

5. Do you have in-house therapy? If not, what company do you utilize for therapy?

6. Are incontinence supplies included? If not, what is cost?

7. What are the charges for level of care?  Can you share with me the scale for level of care, so that you have the next level up and what qualifies for next level of care?

8. Do you review with families and residents the plan of care for the resident?

9.  How often do you meet with families to review the plan of care?

Activities

1.    What types of activities are available to residents?

1. Is there a posted schedule of events and activities and are residents given one monthly?

2. What do you do to actively encourage residents to participate?

3. Do you provide transportation to the grocery store?

4. Are there opportunities to interact with the surrounding community, such as scheduled outings or community events?

5. How often do you bring people from the community in for entertainment?

DIETARY/DINNING

1. How many meals are provided per day?

2. Are there snacks available for residents?

3. Are there set times for meals or do you provide open dinning?

4. Can you accommodate special diets such as, gluten free, lactose intolerant, etc.

Miscellaneous

1.What is your policy for overnight guest?

2. Are there specific visiting hours?  Are they posted?

3. Do you provide church services or transportation to church if requested?

4.  Are there any other extra fees? If so, what are they?