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Facility Tour Checklist
Twenty-two questions worth asking on a senior living tour. Print this page or download the PDF. Free. No email required.
22 questions · ElderCareCosts Research · informational only
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Licensing and paperwork
- What state license type is this community, and can I see the license number?
- Where do I look up recent inspection or survey results for this license?
- Who owns and who manages the community day to day?
Care and staffing
- What help with bathing, dressing, and transfers is included in the base rate?
- How are medications managed, and who can administer them?
- What is typical staffing overnight versus daytime on this floor?
- If memory care is offered, what training do staff complete for dementia care?
- What happens if my parent needs hospital care? Do they hold the apartment?
Daily life
- Can I see a sample menu and visit during a meal?Notice the dining room: noise, help offered, and whether food looks finished.
- What does a typical weekday look like for someone at my parent’s ability level?
- What are visiting hours and overnight guest rules for family?
- Is outdoor space secure for someone who wanders?
Money and contracts
- What is included in the quoted monthly rate, and what is always extra?
- How do fees change if care needs rise in six months?
- What deposits or community fees are refundable, and on what timeline?
- Do you accept Medicaid, long-term care insurance, or VA Aid & Attendance?
- Under what conditions would you ask a resident to leave?
Safety and fit
- How do you prevent and respond to falls?
- What is the emergency call system in apartments and common areas?
- Do you offer a short respite or trial stay before a permanent move-in?
- Does the building smell clean, and do residents look engaged, not parked in hallways?Trust what you notice with your eyes and nose, not only the sales script.
- Who is my written follow-up contact, and can I get the fee sheet today?
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