Holiday gatherings often spark conversations about an older loved one’s health, safety, and lifestyle, leading many families to tour a senior living community. These conversations, with the potential impact of winter weather may contribute to the increase in tours most senior living communities experience after the busyness of the holidays subsides.

If supporting a senior loved one’s independence or managing a loved one’s care needs has become a top priority for you lately, touring a senior living community may be a helpful next step. Read on to learn more about how to make the most of your tour experience and find the right community for you.

Timing Your Senior Living Tour

There are a host of excuses for putting off the all-important senior living community tour.

Many people wrongly assume it’s too soon to tour unless you’re planning a move for the near future. Others prefer to wait for perfect conditions, favorable weather, or declining health before agreeing to tour.

However, touring a community before you or your loved one is “ready” may offer a decisive advantage. Not only can you give proper time, thought, and attention to the various options available, but you can avoid the stress of moving during a time of immediate need or crisis. When is the right time to tour? Sooner rather than later!

Touring a community offers the following benefits:

Helpful relationships: Building relationships with community staff and residents while exploring communities is essential. These relationships can tell you about the community's culture and provide time to observe and attend community activities/programs to see what life is like for residents.

Better availability: Touring on your timeline (and not during a crisis) can give prospective residents more options for apartment models, floor plans, and other choices. Many older adults opt to tour early on and be placed on a waiting list for their preferred apartment style/location to secure their ideal residence.

Affordability: If you’re considering independent or assisted living and don’t have urgent health needs that necessitate an immediate move, you’ll have time to compare options and pricing to determine the most affordable option. For older adults generally in good health, exploring a long-term care insurance option before moving can help finance the cost of senior living.

Seasonal relief: Timing your tour appropriately can help facilitate a move that relieves the stress of seasonal weather concerns. Whether your region experiences impact from snow and ice, extreme heat, tornadoes, hurricanes, or other patterns, these challenges require advanced preparation and management, often difficult for individuals living alone. The support of a senior living community can be a lifesaving option.

Touring Checklist: Helpful Questions to Ask

Contacting a senior living community of interest by phone or website inquiry can easily set up a tour. Many communities offer flexible options for families to tour at a time that works best for their busy schedules. Some individuals may schedule a tour for themselves first before bringing along a loved one or friend. Others prefer to visit together.

During your tour, take note of first impressions and utilize the touring checklist below for helpful questions to ask when evaluating a community.

Community Details & Staffing

• Who owns or manages the community?
• How often are the owners/managers on-site in the community?
• How long has the community’s Executive Director been with the community?
• What is the longevity like among the community’s department managers?
• How many licensed Resident Care staff work on-site? (nurses, certified nursing assistants, medication technicians)
• Are the interactions between residents and staff positive, respectful, and supportive?
• Does the community feel warm and welcoming?
• Is there evidence of meaningful relationships between and among residents, staff, and family members?
• Is the staff visible and available to residents?

Building Details:

• Is the building clean, clutter-free, and odor-free?
• Is the building easy to navigate?
• Are the common areas welcoming and well-kept?
• Is there music playing, fresh flowers, or live plants anywhere?
• Is it a long walk to and from the main gathering areas and resident apartments?
• Is there a safe pathway for walking outdoors or in and around the building?
• Are the resident apartments smartly designed with accessible fixtures, grab bars, and other safety features?
• Do resident common areas appear to be enjoyed and utilized?
• Are resident common areas and apartments well-lit?

Services & Amenities:

• What hospitality services are included in the monthly rent? (housekeeping, maintenance, laundry, transportation, concierge, etc.)
• Can residents do their laundry if they wish? Are laundry facilities easily accessible?
• What is the procedure for trash removal?
• Does the community allow pets? If so, what are the guidelines?
• Is there a salon, barbershop, or spa on-site?
• What kind of parking accommodations are available to residents?
• What are the hours of the front desk/concierge staff?
• What kind of transportation does the community provide? What are the costs associated with this service?

Health & Wellness:

• What supportive care services can the community provide to assist residents?
• Are supportive care services provided by community staff or an outside healthcare agency?
• How is the community staffed to provide on-site care? Are nursing aides in the building 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
• What kind of safety checks are in place to monitor residents?
• How are supportive care services structured? Are they included in the monthly rent or are services priced as part of a care package or an a la carte charge?
• Is there a fitness center with wellness offerings?
• Are health and wellness services, such as physician visits, available on-site?
• If the community offers memory care support, is nursing staff trained in dementia-care best practices?

Safety & Security:

• What type of call-for-aid system does the community utilize to assist residents?
• What security features and procedures protect residents’ safety?
• How does the community monitor the building for safety?
• Are background checks completed for employees and volunteers?
• How are residents alerted in an emergency?
• How does the community secure building entrances, exits, and grounds?
• What safety measures provide a secure home environment for residents living with dementia or cognitive change?

Resident Engagement:

• Is there a full calendar of meaningful events and activities taking place?
• Do programs support residents’ independence and desire to learn, grow, and contribute?
• How involved are residents in facilitating activities, events, and programs?
• Are residents encouraged to volunteer?
• Are there ample opportunities for social connection, making friends, and shared experiences?
• Do programs engage residents’ minds, bodies, and spirit?
• Are activities scheduled on weekdays, evenings, and weekends?
• Is there a healthy variety of programs and activities that appeal to a broad range of interests?
• What spiritual care and support services are available to residents?
• Who facilitates activities, events, and programs?
• Are outings, shopping trips, and off-site activities offered regularly?
• What kinds of individualized and group activities are offered?
• How does the community foster cognitive health and meaningful engagement for residents experiencing memory loss?

Dining Services:

• How many meals are included in the monthly rent? Are snacks included?
• What kind of seating options are available in the resident dining room?
• Can residents dine with a guest? Can a private area be reserved for dining with family/friends?
• Can residents receive dining service in their apartments? If so, what is the cost?
• What dietary preferences/needs can be accommodated?
• How does the community support residents with cognitive change throughout the dining experience?

One Last Thing

Lastly, when touring a community, take note of the community’s resident agreement. Ask about the deposit required to reserve an apartment and any community fees or additional costs. Inquire about whether residents can review their lease before signing the agreement and when there will be an annual renewal or rate increase.

With this understanding, you can confidently approach your senior living community tour and feel prepared to ask the right questions when comparing different communities. To learn more about choosing the right senior living community for yourself or a senior loved one, check out Cardinal Bay’s valuable free resources by subscribing to our blog. Schedule a tour today and experience the many benefits of relationship-centered living in our independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities in Central Texas and Oklahoma.