Assisted living communities provide a supportive environment where older adults who need assistance can thrive. If you’re seeking a new home for yourself or an aging parent, it’s essential to choose a community that aligns with your needs and those of your loved one. As you begin your search, it can be helpful to tour communities and ask any important questions to address concerns you may have.
In this blog, we’ll share some important questions to ask assisted living employees while touring communities — to help you find the right home for your lifestyle and needs.
Why It’s Important to Ask the Right Questions
When searching for an assisted living community, asking the right questions can make all the difference. While there may be many options in your local area, each community is unique, and a tour can be a valuable opportunity to get a feel for what life there could be like. Here’s why asking the right questions can be helpful:
- Informs Confident Decisions: Asking important assisted living questions can help you understand what each community offers to see whether it fits you or your family member’s needs and lifestyle.
- Brings Any Concerns to Light: While most employees will be happy to show you around, some issues may not be obvious right away. Questions about topics like dining options, routines, and policies can reveal any concerns you may want to consider.
- Clarifies Expectations: Knowing what the community provides can help set clear expectations around the level of care, activities, and services available.
- Aids in Financial Planning: Budget is often a big consideration when choosing care options. Asking about costs can help you get a clear picture of what to expect financially.
- Facilitates Comparison: A list of clear questions to ask assisted living communities can be a great way to compare what each one offers, which can help you make a confident choice that best suits your specific needs and situation.
Level of Support Offered
The level of support offered can vary widely across assisted living communities, so it’s helpful to understand the options available. This can help you decide if a community can meet you or your loved one’s needs now and adjust to any changes down the road. Here are some important questions to ask assisted living employees during your tour:
- What levels of assistance are provided, and can these be adjusted as needs change?
- How are medical needs handled?
- Are there nursing employees on-site 24/7 or on-call?
- What is the process for updating a resident’s care plan?
Employees and Training
The qualifications, experience, and ratio of employees to residents can make a big difference in the quality of care your family member receives. Additionally, learning about how a community’s employees are trained and supported can help provide valuable insight into the community’s commitment to residents’ well-being. Here are some questions to ask assisted living communities about their employees:
- What qualifications and certifications do caregivers hold, especially for medical or specialized care?
- How often do employees receive training, particularly in dementia care and emergency response?
- What is the employee-to-resident ratio at different times of day?
- Are background checks and screenings conducted for all employees?
Safety and Security
Most assisted living communities make resident safety a top priority. However, it’s still important to know how well a community can handle emergencies or unexpected situations. Here are some key questions you might consider asking about safety:
- What specific safety measures are in place, such as grab bars, handrails, and emergency call systems?
- How are emergency situations managed, and are regular drills conducted?
- Is there a secure entry system to protect residents and control visitor access?
- Are there procedures for handling falls or medical emergencies?
Activities and Community Life
Daily life and the community atmosphere can play a big role in how enjoyable and fulfilling life will be in a particular community. Asking about important factors, like social activities, cultural events, and overall community engagement can give you a better idea of whether the community’s lifestyle matches what you or your loved one is looking for. Here are some community lifestyle questions to consider:
- What types of activities and programs are available, and how often do they occur?
- Is there a social calendar, and are residents encouraged to participate in group activities?
- How are cultural or religious preferences accommodated in community activities?
- Are there spaces for residents to host family gatherings or private events?
Meals and Nutrition
Nutrition plays a vital role in overall health, so it’s essential to understand the community’s approach to meal planning and dietary accommodations. Knowing what kind of dining options are available can help ensure that you or your loved one’s dietary needs are met and that mealtimes are something to look forward to each day. Here are a few key questions to ask an assisted living community about their dining programs:
- What are the meal options, and can they be adjusted to residents’ dietary needs and preferences?
- How flexible are meal times, and is room service available if needed?
- Are snacks provided throughout the day, and what types are available?
- Can residents provide input or feedback on the menu?
Costs and Payment
Understanding the costs associated with assisted living allows you to plan and budget effectively. The following questions can help you understand the financial commitment of each community and any extra expenses that may come up. Here’s what to ask:
- Can you provide a detailed breakdown of monthly costs and what they cover?
- Are there additional fees for certain services, such as laundry, transportation, or outings?
- How often do rates increase, and how are rate changes communicated?
- Are there fees associated with moving in or out, or for room upgrades?
Financial Assistance and Payment Options
Paying for assisted living can be a big financial commitment. Exploring payment options and financial assistance can help you find flexible plans or programs that may make costs more manageable. Here are some helpful questions to ask assisted living employees during your tour:
- Are there financial assistance programs, discounts, or sliding scale options available?
- What payment plans are offered, and are deposits required?
- Are there any hidden fees, or fees that may increase over time?
- How is the contract structured, and can terms be adjusted if needs change?
Visitation Policies
A community’s visitation policy can impact how often family and friends can visit. Some communities may have specific policies or hours, so understanding these upfront can help you know what to expect. Involving family in care discussions can also be beneficial, so it’s helpful to ask questions related to family involvement. Here are a few examples:
- What are the designated visitation hours, and are they flexible?
- Are family members allowed to participate in care planning or medical discussions?
- Are overnight visits or family meals allowed, and are there any restrictions?
- How are family members notified of changes in the resident’s health or care plan?
Transitioning Into Assisted Living
The move to assisted living can be a big adjustment, so it’s helpful to understand how each community supports new residents. This includes learning about any orientation programs or support resources for a smooth transition. Knowing that support is available can make the move easier for both residents and their families. Here are important move-in questions to ask:
- How does the community support new residents in adjusting to their new home?
- Are there any programs or employees specifically focused on helping with the transition?
- Are residents encouraged to decorate their apartments?
- What is the community’s approach to helping residents feel connected and engaged?
Memory Care
If memory care is needed, understanding the specialized support available is essential. Memory care services are specifically designed to provide a safe and nurturing environment while addressing specific needs related to dementia or memory loss. Consider asking these memory care questions:
- What specialized care is provided for memory-related conditions, and is there a dedicated area for memory care?
- How are employees trained to handle residents with memory loss or cognitive challenges?
- How are residents monitored, and what steps are taken to prevent wandering?
- What activities and therapies are available to support memory and cognitive function?
Location and Surrounding Areas
The community’s location can impact access to family, healthcare, and nearby amenities. Knowing what the area offers can also help families feel confident that loved ones have everything they need nearby. Here are a few questions to ask assisted living employees regarding location:
- How close is the community to family members, friends, or familiar places?
- Is there convenient access to hospitals, pharmacies, or specialized medical services?
- What transportation options are available for outings or appointments?
- Are there nearby parks, shops, or other amenities residents can enjoy?
How to Prioritize Your Questions for Assisted Living
When touring different living options, it can feel overwhelming to cover all of the questions to ask an assisted living community. Prioritizing your questions can help you stay focused on what matters most to you and your loved one. Here are a few helpful prioritization tips:
- Develop a Checklist: Start by making a checklist of all the questions you’d like to ask. This keeps you organized and helps ensure you don’t forget anything important. A checklist also allows you to jot down responses and compare communities later.
- Narrow Down What Matters Most: Think about what aspects of lifestyle and support are most important to you or your loved one. For some, social activities may be a priority, while for others, specialized health support might come first. Focusing on what matters most can help you prioritize communities that align with your key needs.
- Dig Deeper on Important Questions: For the areas that really matter to you or your family member, don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions to get a full understanding. For instance, if daily activities are essential, ask about what’s on the weekly schedule, and whether residents can request new activities.
- Separate Needs From Nice-to-Haves: When looking at assisted living communities, it can be useful to separate the must-haves from the nice-to-haves. Must-haves are the essential services or features that you or your loved one can’t go without — such as quality medical care, safety features, or specific support services. On the other hand, nice-to-haves are the extra amenities that would be enjoyable but aren’t absolutely necessary, like a gym, a large garden, or extra social activities. Knowing which features are essential and which ones are simply desirable helps you focus on what’s truly important.
- Consider Long-Term Needs: Try to think beyond the immediate needs and consider what may be important down the road. If you or your loved one’s care needs might increase, it can be a good idea to inquire if a community can offer more advanced support when needed.
Senior Living At StoryPoint Group Communities
At StoryPoint Group communities, we understand that each person’s journey is unique, which is why we take pride in meeting our residents right where they are, and by personalizing our support to fit their specific needs. Our assisted living options are designed to provide the perfect balance of independence and assistance, helping you or your loved one thrive in a vibrant and supportive environment.
Ready to take the next step? Find one of our many communities offering assisted living near you, and see how we can help you or your loved one feel right at home. Use our Find A Community tool to get started today, or give us a call at 1-844-275-9990. We can’t wait to get to know you!
