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What Questions Should I Ask When Touring an Assisted Living Facility?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
There’s a lot to consider when searching for the best assisted living facility for your loved one. This brief guide takes a look at the best questions to ask when determining whether a specific assisted living residence matches your family’s unique needs.
Questions About Assisted Living Caregivers and Residents
Knowing that your loved one is well cared for by professional, compassionate caregivers gives you and your family the peace of mind you deserve. Here are some questions you should ask about caregivers, volunteers and residents when looking at an assisted living community:
- What is the staff-to-resident ratio during peak hours and during night hours?
- What kind of training do caregivers have?
- Who supervises the caregivers?
- Is there a licensed medical professional who oversees resident care?
- How often are new caregivers hired?
- What languages do the caregivers speak?
- Are most of the staff part-time or full-time?
- Does the facility use agency temps?
- If volunteers are used at the facility, what type of screening do they have to undergo before working with residents?
- Are staff members allowed to dispense medications?
You’ll also want to know how much time each caregiver has to provide one-on-one care such as toileting and bathing.
Questions About Assisted Living Facilities and Services
When touring an assisted living facility, check to see if the facility is well-maintained, and take note of any issues regarding the lighting, wall and floor coverings, or overall cleanliness.
You may also want to ask the following questions:
- What accommodations are available?
- Are the rooms or suites furnished, semi-furnished or unfurnished?
- Are companion pets welcome? If so, are pet care services available?
- What common areas and amenities will your loved one have access to?
- What’s included with the monthly fee, and what services are offered for an additional cost?
- Are transportation services provided?
- What kinds of meals are offered, and can special diets be accommodated?
- Can residents invite guests for a meal? If so, what is the cost of a guest meal?
- Is smoking allowed? If so, where?
- What organized activities are offered, and who organizes these activities?
- Is the facility equipped with modern fire detection and suppression systems?
- Is there a community-wide medical alert system?
- If a residents’ care needs increase, is extra support available in the facility?