Questions to Ask When Touring a Senior Living Community

Finding the right senior living community is more than finding a new place to live. Instead, it’s about finding a place for you to grow, thrive, and receive the right level of care. 

While touring senior living communities can feel overwhelming, it’s important to visit and get a sense of how the community runs, hear from residents, and see in person where you could be living.

SRG Senior Living is committed to making your tour as easy to navigate as possible. This comprehensive guide will help you and your family feel prepared and confident to tackle these tours with ease and give you a solid list of questions to ask when touring senior living communities. 

Staff Qualifications and Training

Ensuring that you and your family understand the level of training that team members undergo can help alleviate some of the anxiety associated with this transition. It also helps you know if team members are prepared for emergencies and how the community handles staffing.

Here is a list of questions to ask assisted living team members as they relate to training and qualifications:

• What certifications and training do team members have?
• Is the community CARF-accredited?
• What is the team-to-resident ratio?
• How does the community handle team turnover?
• Are background checks required?

All SRG communites are CARF-accredited. This means our providers meet an elevated standard of care, quality, and service, giving you or your loved one the highest level of care. Similar to a hospital accredation or a 5-star hotel rating, the CARF mission is to promote and ensure a high quality of care.

Care Services and Personalization

The following questions can help you determine whether the community offers a comprehensive continuum of care or specializes in a specific type of care. Many senior living communities are Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) that provide independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing services. 

Here are common questions about care services and personalized programs:

• What levels of care are available?
• How are individualized care plans created and managed?
• How does care adapt as needs change?
• What medical services are available on your campus?
• For memory care communities: What specialized memory care services are available?

Safety and Emergency Procedures

Being prepared in case of an emergency is crucial. This series of questions helps you understand how each community is equipped to respond in the event of an emergency.

While these questions are important for all senior living communities, there are especially good questions to ask assisted living or memory care communities:

• What emergency response systems are in place?
• How does the community handle medical emergencies?
• What security measures protect residents?
• How are families notified in emergencies?

Daily Life: Activities and Engagement

Every community offers something a little different in terms of programs and activities available to its residents. These allow residents to try new things or continue well-loved hobbies.

These questions relate to activities and engagement opportunities:

• What daily activities and programs are offered?
• How are activities tailored to different interests and abilities?
• What opportunities are there for social engagement?
• Are transportation services provided for group outings?

Dining and Nutrition

Many senior living communities offer multiple dining venues with extended hours to accommodate busy schedules. During your senior living tour, you are often provided lunch at the community to get a better sense of the menu options.

Here are some questions to ask about dining venues and nutrition offerings:

• Can I tour the dining areas and sample a meal?
• How are special dietary needs accommodated?
• What are the meal schedules and dining options?
• Who plans the meals?

Costs and Financial Transparency

Understanding monthly payments and additional fees is essential when researching and touring communities. Many senior living communities have a one-time entry fee to secure the spot, followed by monthly payments for housekeeping and maintenance.

These questions pertain to costs and payments:

• What is included in the base monthly fee?
• What services cost extra?
• How often do fees increase?
• What payment options and insurance are accepted? 
• Are there move-in specials or financial assistance programs?

Begin Setting Up Tours

Now that you have a good understanding of what questions to ask, it’s time to schedule a tour. It’s important to ask questions when touring senior living communities, as it will give you a better sense of the staff, levels of care, amenities, cost, and the general atmosphere of the community.

When it comes time to decide which place you like best, trust your instincts. Print out our list of questions to ask when touring senior living communities and bring it with you as a reminder.

Schedule a personal senior living tour at one of our communities today or contact us to learn more.  We look forward to meeting you.