10 Questions to Ask When Touring a Senior Living Community

From touring facilities to keeping track of amenities, touring a senior living community often requires you to take in a lot of information in a short period of time while trying to make an important decision for yourself or a loved one. How can you tell whether a given senior living community is right for you? Here are 10 important questions to ask your tour guide.

1. How are you keeping residents safe?

When touring a senior living community, it’s important to take note of any emergency preparedness plans. What happens in the case of a hurricane or other natural disaster? What supplies will be available to residents? Your tour guide should be able to provide this important safety information.

2. What is the staff like?

A kind, thoughtful and experienced staff is the cornerstone of any senior living community. During a tour, you should have multiple opportunities to interact with staff and ask any questions you may have. Does the community provide skilled nursing or memory care if needed? What is the ratio of staff members to residents? If you or a loved one choose to live in this community, these are the people that you (or they) will be interacting with on a daily basis.

3. What amenities and services are available?

Most senior living communities offer a certain number of amenities and services, but it differs from place to place. When touring a senior living community, ask for specifics about these services. What dining services are available? Are laundry and cleaning services provided, and if so, what is the frequency of service?

4. Are there opportunities for community involvement?

While amenities and services are important, it’s also important to ask whether a senior living community provides opportunities to get connected. Ask about any classes, clubs or other groups that you or your loved one could get involved in. Many senior living communities even host annual or seasonal events, such as concerts and dinners.

5. What are the options for transportation?

Whether going to a doctor’s appointment or visiting a friend, it’s likely that you will want to find a community that offers transportation services. When touring a senior living community, ask what transportation is available to residents, if it costs extra and how frequently it is available.

6. Are there any extra costs or fees?

While the cost of living will likely be presented to you while touring a senior living community, there may be additional costs you will want to know about. Inquire whether the community charges additional fees for elective amenities and services. It’s important to know exactly what you will be paying before you sign any contracts or agreements.

7. What medical services are available?

Many people choose a senior living community largely based on the medical services available. Some communities have extensive on-site services available, which is a huge convenience for those who don’t wish to travel off-campus often. Ask about the medical services each community provides, and whether it has doctors, skilled nurses and other professionals on staff.

8. Are there options for advanced care, as needed?

Ideally, once you or your loved one chooses a senior living community, you (or they) will be able to live there for a long time. Over the years, however, your needs for care may change. You may wish to transition from an independent living apartment to assisted living, for instance. When touring a senior living facility, ask what options are available for progressing through different levels of care.

9. What are the community’s core values?

It’s important for you or your loved one to find a senior living community that aligns with your core beliefs and values. Whether faith-based or not, many communities operate on a certain set of values. Ask your tour guide what is most important to this senior living community and its residents. Is it a sense of connection? Giving back to others? Maintaining independence? Asking this question is a great way to get a feel for what it would be like to live in a given community.

10. What are residents and their families saying about it?

Finally, if you really want to get a true-to-life account of life in a given community, ask what current residents are saying about it. If reviews and testimonials are not available online, ask your tour guide if you could speak to a current resident about their experience.

When touring a senior living community, it can feel impossible to learn everything you need to know during one short tour. Asking these questions can help you get a better feel for the community itself – and the people who live there. Choosing the right community for you or your loved one is an important choice, and one that should be made with care.

At Advent Christian Village, we want you to feel at home throughout every stage of your retirement. From independent living to assisted living and memory care, our members enjoy the charm of a small town with the security of our full continuum of care. We invite you to take a tour and experience everything that our faith-based community has to offer. Give us a call today at 1-800-647-3353 or click here to schedule a tour.