What Are The Key Questions to Ask When Touring a Senior Living Community

Make sure you find the perfect living situation for you or a loved one with this list of critical questions.

Choosing to move to a senior living community is a significant decision. You want to know that you or your loved one will enjoy their quality of life surrounded by wonderful people – but deep down, you have anxiety.

Will I find friends to connect with?
Will my loved one thrive in the environment?
What will I need to make sure I feel supported in this next season?

Knowing the right questions to ask when you tour senior living communities can help determine if a particular home is right for you. To give you a helping hand, we’ve pulled together a list of the top key questions to ask as you tour a senior living community.

Questions To Ask About The Living Arrangements

Naturally, one of the most important questions to ask a senior living community is about its living arrangements.

You want to know that the physical space where you or your loved one will live fits their stage of life and personal needs and provides them with the freedom to make it their own.

Here are some key questions to ask as you tour a senior living community:

What floor plans are available, and what are the square footage options for each?
Are residents allowed to customize their space? Can they paint the walls or make other modifications to the rooms?
What furniture is provided for each floor plan, and what are the guidelines regarding personal furniture?
Is there climate control for each individual unit? How easy is it to operate?
What is included with housekeeping services – and how often are they provided?
Do the units have personal washer and dryer access? Is there a community laundry?
What types of media entertainment are included? Does the unit have cable television, WiFi access, etc?
What is the storage setup for the floorplan – is there extra space for seasonal belongings?

Questions To Ask Regarding Community Staff

Those who will interact with you or your loved one in a senior living community make the biggest impact on the experience. Don’t let your tour go by without asking questions about who will be engaging with residents and what to expect from them!

What is the staff-to-resident ratio?
What is the staff turnover rate – and how long have key individuals been with the community?
How are staff members screened before being hired?
How do staff engage with residents based on their level of independence?
What specialized training do staff members receive based on memory care or other specific needs?
What is the community policy on staff receiving gifts or tips?

Questions To Ask About Activities and Social Events

The rooms you or a loved one lives in are important – but perhaps equally important is what goes on outside the room.

The social engagement factor of a senior living community can make or break the experience, and with more senior adults facing risks of isolation and depression, having fun and building friendships is more important than ever.

Here are some of the questions you’ll want to ask about the community’s social life:

What types of activities are offered, and how often are they offered? (daily, weekly, monthly)
Are there fitness classes designed for senior adults to help them stay active? How do you sign up for information to attend?
Are there hobby groups and similar activities that occur throughout the community?
How does this community accommodate different physical activity levels?
Do activities occur only on-site, or are there off-site options as well? (With travel included?)
Are there resident councils or committees that help plan activities? How do you join those groups?
How does the community facilitate social connections between new residents and those who have already built strong connections?

Questions To Ask About Health Care and Safety

As we age, the risks of injury and illness continue to rise. When choosing a senior living community, you want to know that all efforts are being made to proactively address health concerns – and you want assurance that emergency care is ready to act.

Here are some of the top health and safety questions to ask when on a tour of a senior living community:

What medical staff are on-site, and what are their hours of operation?
What types of medical services can be provided on-site vs offsite healthcare visits?
Does the community have emergency healthcare options available?
What is the emergency response plan – and how do residents access it?
What happens if there is a medical emergency during nighttime hours?
How does the security system work, and how can family/friends reach their loved ones?
How are health updates communicated to approved family and friends?

Questions to Ask About Nutrition and Dining

Knowing what to expect when it comes to food and nutrition is key – and you can bet that you or your loved one will want to know what to expect on the menu!

As you tour a senior living community, ask pointed questions about the nutrition policy and how specific dietary needs are met.

How many meals are provided daily?
What are the dining hours for residents?
Can I see a sample of the weekly dining menu?
How are special diets accommodated, and how are they communicated to the staff?
Does the community have a dietician or nutritionist on staff?
What is the policy for meal delivery? What if a resident is ill?
Is there a policy for guest meals?
Does the floorplan offer cooking areas for those who wish to prepare their own meals?
Are there snacks and beverages available throughout the day?

Questions to Ask About Cost and Finances

It’s likely that you already come to a senior living community tour with financial questions in hand, but knowing the right questions to ask can make all the difference in your final decision.

While each community will handle finance differently, here are some of the key questions to make sure you ask as you consider the transition:

What is included in the monthly fee, and what services cost extra?
Are there different pricing tiers based on specific resident needs?
What is the history of rate increases – how often can we expect to see rates go up?
How is billing and payment handed?
What types of financial assistance are available?
How do insurance policies work with the community?
Are there entrance fees or deposits? How are refunded?

When It Comes To Senior Living, Due Diligence Makes All The Difference

Knowing what to expect from a living situation can help you rest easily, and these questions will get you down the road to making the best decision for you and your family. As each individual’s needs are unique, your questions should be as well – so take the time to list your top questions before you take a tour!

Peace of mind is worth a question or two – and here at Mirabella Assisted Living & Memory Care, our mission is to help families feel at ease as they transition from traditional housing to a senior living community. We invite you to visit our Fort Worth community near Benbrook today to see how we empower individuals to live out their best years in a caring, welcoming community.

Want to learn more? Visit us online and schedule a tour today to see why putting down roots in a senior living community may just be the best choice you make this year!

What Are The Key Questions to Ask When Touring a Senior Living Community?