Can I tour an assisted living facility during coronavirus?
Yes, you can virtually tour an assisted living facility during coronavirus. However, you will almost certainly not be able to tour an assisted living community in person during coronavirus since most campuses are not allowing “non-essential” visitors.
Despite the restrictions on physical visits, outlined here by the CDC, you can still get a good idea of the features of an assisted living community through its virtual tours. Virtual tours can take a variety of forms but may be scheduled via live videos with a staff member. Some facilities may offer pre-recorded videos and a phone consultation instead.
As you prepare to take virtual tours, keep the following in mind:
- Video Requirements: In order to participate in a virtual tour, you may need to download a video app on your phone or tablet. When signing up for a tour, make sure you’re clear on what you will need in order to enjoy the tour.
- Scheduling Constraints: Many assisted living communities are especially busy at this time due to the increased workload that comes with enhanced cleaning and social distancing routines. You may need to schedule your virtual tour in advance, or you may not get a response right away if you make an inquiry about tours.
- Questions and Answers: Your tour will probably include time for asking questions about the home’s amenities and policies. Write down questions ahead of time, leaving space to jot down answers later. With your physical experience of the facility being so limited, asking questions will be even more important than usual in this touring process.
COVID-19 Update: With social distancing and stay-at-home orders, many seniors are struggling with loneliness and isolation. We’ve developed a list of products that caregivers or seniors can purchase to help older adults stay happy, healthy and connected, whether they are aging in place at home or in an assisted living community.
Additional Coronavirus FAQs
- Is it safe to send my loved one in assisted living a package during coronavirus?
- How are nursing homes ensuring that residents with dementia don’t get the coronavirus?
- Why isn’t my mom’s senior living community communicating with families about which residents have coronavirus?
- Why are they letting patients from the hospital who had coronavirus come back into mom’s assisted living community?
- Should I postpone my move to an assisted living facility?
- Can I move into an assisted living facility during coronavirus?
- Do staff members in assisted living homes have enough personal protective equipment (PPE)?
- What steps are assisted living homes taking to prevent the spread of coronavirus?
- Are assisted living facilities allowing social events within the community during coronavirus?
- Are common areas and recreational facilities in assisted living homes open during COVID-19?
- Why can’t my mom in independent living come and go as she pleases without being quarantined for 14 days?
- Are assisted living staff members being tested for the coronavirus?
- How can I set up a virtual meeting with my loved one in assisted living?
- Am I allowed to visit my loved one in assisted living during coronavirus?
- Can people in assisted living homes visit each other during COVID-19?
- What are assisted living communities doing to keep my loved one with dementia engaged during coronavirus?
- How can I help my loved one in an assisted living home during COVID-19?
- What happens if a person in an assisted living home gets COVID-19?
- How long are people quarantined for if they get the coronavirus in assisted living?
- Do residents stay in assisted living communities if they get the coronavirus?
- Are residents of assisted living communities required to wear masks during COVID-19?
- Are senior living communities serving food during the coronavirus?
- How do assisted living communities serve meals safely to residents during COVID-19?
- Are staff members in assisted living facilities required to wear masks during COVID-19?
- How do I know if assisted living homes are keeping my loved ones safe during COVID-19?
- I think my mom’s care home isn’t following the state rules about coronavirus, what can I do?
- Why is my mom’s assisted living community not letting her leave to go to church?
- How can I help my family member in assisted living keep busy during coronavirus?
- How long are staff members required to stay home if they get sick from the coronavirus?
- What do assisted living homes do if some of their staff members get sick from the coronavirus?