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Updated from the original publication on October 31, 2019.
Choosing your senior living community is a major decision with multiple factors to consider. Yes, you want to look at floor plans, amenities and locations, but it also is about how the community feels. Taking a tour give you the opportunity to see beyond the brochure: to see apartments first-hand, meet team members and chat with residents. It is an opportunity to see if you can picture yourself at home there.
Before your visit, think about what you want to learn, what you want to see, and what could help you make your decision.
Quick Answer: What Questions Should I Ask When Touring a Senior Living Community?
When touring a senior living community, ask about services, costs, dining, activities and amenities, transportation, home choices, pet policies and team member support. It is important to understand what community life feels like on a daily basis and how the community can support your needs, both now and in the future.
1. What Levels of Care Are Available?
Begin by asking which levels of living are available on campus. Depending on the community, these may include:
- Independent Living
- Personal Care / Assisted Living
- Memory Support
- Skilled Nursing
Not all senior living communities provide the same services. A Life Plan community generally offers several levels of living on, or near, the same campus.
Even if you are exploring Independent Living today, it is important to understand the full range of levels of living for any future needs. Ask whether residents receive priority access to additional services and what the process looks like if their needs change.
2. What Is Included in the Monthly Fee
Senior living costs vary depending on the community, residence type, contract or location. As for an explanation of both one-time expenses and ongoing costs.
Questions about cost can include:
- Is there an entrance fee?
- What is included in the monthly fee?
- Are utilities, maintenance, transportation or dining included?
- Are there additional charges for certain activities or services?
- How often do fees change?
- Are there different contract options?
Request a written breakdown of fees and expenses to help you compare communities more accurately. Looking at only the monthly amount may not provide a full picture if one community includes services that another community charges separately from the fees.
3. What Happens if My Health or Support Needs Change?
Your needs may change over time so it is important to understand how they can impact your life at a senior living community. Key questions to ask include:
- Can services be added to my current residence?
- What other levels of care are available on campus?
- How is the need for additional support assessed?
- What costs are there for a change in level?
- Is there priority access for higher levels of living?
Additional services and levels of living can range from housekeeping and assistance with daily activities to memory care and nursing care. Knowing available services can help you evaluate whether a community can meet both your current lifestyle and any future needs.
4. What Do Residents Say About Living Here?
Before your tour, as if you can speak with residents and their experiences in their senior living community. Consider asking:
- What made you choose this community?
- What surprised you after moving?
- What do you enjoy most?
- How easy was it to meet people?
- Are there a variety of activities?
- Is there anything you wish you knew before moving in?
5. What is Daily Life Like?
It is easy to focus on amenities and the activities calendar, but daily life is often what shapes the resident experience. Consider whether the opportunities match your interests.
Look beyond the schedule as well to consider:
- Are common areas active?
- Do residents look like they enjoy each other?
- Does the community support new clubs based on resident interest?
To find out if the activities might match your interests, ask about:
- Fitness and wellness programs
- Creative arts and hobbies
- Volunteer opportunities
- Spiritual life
- Trips and outings
- Evening and weekend programming
6. Can I Experience the Community Beyond the Standard Tour?
A tour can be a great introduction to a community, but there are several ways to gain additional knowledge about the community. Ask whether you can:
- Join residents for a meal
- Attend an event or class
- Visit at a different time of day
- Meet members of the Resident Council
Sometimes the most important moments happen between the scheduled stops on a tour. Watching residents gather before an event, chat over lunch or spend time together in common areas can tell you a great deal about the culture of a community.
7. What Dining Options Are Available?
Dining is an important part of the senior living experience. Take time to understand the dining experience at a community. Find out:
- How many meals are included?
- Are there multiple dining venues?
- How often do menus change?
- Can residents choose when and where they eat?
- Are dietary preferences and nutritional needs accommodated?
- Can family members and friends join residents for a meal?
- Are there takeout or delivery options?
If possible, enjoy a meal - or two - before choosing a community. Consider both the food and the atmosphere of the dining experience.
8. What Is the Team Member Experience Like?
Team members can be a key part of the resident experience at a Life Plan community. Take time to notice how team members interact with both residents and one another.
During the tour, ask about:
- Team training and experience
- Employee retention and length of service
- Emergency response procedures
- Communication with residents and family
Small interactions often reveal a lot. Notice whether team members know residents by name, stop to check in, and take time for conversation. These moments can provide insight into the relationships that help shape everyday life.
9. What Residences and Floor Plans Are Available?
A residence can look different in person from viewing a floor plan in an office. In addition to reviewing floor plans, ask to see residences similar to the styles you are considering. Understand what type of residences are offered at a community. Depending on the location, it could include:
- Apartments
- Studios
- Cottages
- Villas
- One-bedroom or two-bedrooms
- Patios or balconies
Also consider how the move would support your current routines. Ask about parking, storage, outdoor areas and the ability to personalize your home.
Other questions to consider include:
- Can I bring my own furniture?
- Are modifications allowed?
- Who handles maintenance and repairs?
- Are housekeeping services included?
- Is there a waitlist for certain locations or floor plans?
As you tour, imagine your furniture, hobbies and routines in the space. Can you picture yourself living there comfortably?
10. How Does the Community Connect You to the Surrounding Area?
While the community itself is important, so is everything around it. Think about the places, services and relationships that are already part of your life. Will it be easy to stay connected to them? Ask if the community provides transportation for:
- Medical appointments
- Shopping excursions
- Worship services
- Cultural events
Also ask if transportation is included in the monthly or if there is an additional charge. If you're new to the area, explore the neighborhood. Consider access to healthcare, shopping, restaurants and favorite activities.
11. Are Pets Welcome?
For many people, their pet is member of the family, and it is important to consider their needs as well. Ask for a copy of the community's pet policy and find out:
- Are there size or breed restrictions?
- Is there a limit on the number of pets?
- Are pet deposits or monthly fees required?
- Are there designated walking areas or a dog park?
- Are visiting pets permitted?
A community can be pet-friendly while still applying specific guidelines. Understanding those expectations can help you decide if a community will benefit both you and your pet.
12. What Should I Know About the Contract?
Before making your final decision, get a full copy of the residency agreement or contract and thoroughly review it. Make note of:
- Entrance fees and refund provisions
- Monthly fees and possible increases
- Services included in the agreement
- Additional service charges
- Healthcare or priority-access provisions
- Transfer policies
- Cancellation and move-out terms
- Responsibilities of the resident and the community
Be sure to ask for clarification of any section you don't completely understand. You may also want an attorney or a trusted financial advisor, familiar with senior living contracts, to review the agreement based on your circumstances.
What to Look for During a Senior Living Tour
The above questions are important, but so is noticing details during your tour. Consider:
- Do residents and team members interact naturally?
- Are residents greeted by name?
- Do common spaces feel welcoming and comfortable?
- Are residents participating in activities?
- Are areas clean and well-maintained?
- Is it easy to navigate the community?
- Can you picture fitting into the community?
A community does not need feel like your current home, but it should feel like a place where you can be comfortable connected and supported.
These twelve questions will help guide you to asking the right questions and finding out the basics when making the decision to move to a senior living community. For more guidance and questions to ask on your next tour, download our senior community evaluation checklist today!
