Questions to Ask When Touring
Any Senior Community or Facility

The following is a list of questions I recommend you ask when touring most senior living communities, from retirement and life care communities to assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. You don’t have to ask them all; just pick and choose the questions that are appropriate and important for you and your family. (Note: Questions that are more specific to assisted living and skilled care are at the end of this list.) Please do not ask all these questions on your first tour; many can wait until the third or fourth tour. If you have siblings also touring, split these questions up to make it easier, and schedule a meeting to review your results.

Basic Questions to Ask on the
Phone Prior to Touring

• How long will the tour take?
• Who is doing the tour?
• How much walking is involved? (Important if ambulation or mobility are issues for anyone.) Are there lots of stairs? Do you utilize a golf cart?
• Can we give you a list of two or three apartments (or houses, cottages, etc.) we want to see on the tour?
• May we tour the healthcare area (if applicable)?
• May we stay for a meal so we can try the food? (It should be free.)

Basic Checklist Prior to Touring

• Was staff warm and friendly when you called?
• Were they prompt in returning your call?
• Did the marketing office follow through with getting you the information you requested, either by email or mailing you a brochure?
• Did the staff patiently answer your basic questions about services
and cost?
• Did the marketing person ask you pertinent questions about your
parents, or rush you through the process?

Only add this community to your list if you had a positive experience so far.

Questions to Ask on Your First Tour

Note: These questions may not apply to assisted living or skilled nursing facilities. See instead “Additional Questions to Ask for Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Skilled Care” below.