It’s Time to Take a Tour

Finding the right senior living community is a big decision, and the touring process can be overwhelming. Transitioning to a senior living community is a big move that requires thorough planning. The best way to ensure you find the perfect fit is to conduct research and schedule visits to several different locations.

Touring a senior living community allows you to meet its staff and residents, see floorplan layouts and amenities, and ultimately decide whether it would be a great home for you or your loved one!

 

5 Important Questions to Ask When Touring a Senior Living Community

When searching for the right community, it is important to ask questions and to know which questions to ask.  When you’re ready to visit a senior living community, it’s important to prepare yourself. Although your senior living professional will be able to show you around the community, they may not address all of your questions unless you ask them.

*Pro Tip: When you’re touring a prospective new residence for yourself or your loved one, the current residents are often your best resource. Ask them how they like living in their community. Take part in an activity that day and note the turnout and level of engagement.

 

What is the community layout like?

Ask yourself these questions. Is the layout small or large? Do its features accommodate mobility challenges? Does the staff maintain the building’s cleanliness? Evaluating these core questions are the first step in deciding if the community could be a good fit for you.

Take a look at the different floor-plan options to determine if the community offers the style and space you are looking for. If possible, tour a variety of floor plans to get a feel for each one’s size and potential. Make sure to look at appliances and storage space, as well as the room’s layout and dimensions.

When touring different floor plans, additional questions to ask could include:

• Can I decorate my space?
• Is furniture included or can I bring my own?
• Is there additional storage space available?
• What safety features are installed?
• Who handles repairs?
• What is security like?
• Are pets allowed?
• What amenities do I get with my rent?
• What are my dining options like?

Ask to view the surrounding outdoor areas, common spaces, and request to see a room similar to the one you or your loved one may be living in. Don’t just stay inside, the outdoors is where we all enjoy activity as well as serenity, so be sure that there are ample outdoor spaces. Are they well-landscaped? Are there walking paths and gardens? If you or your loved one likes to garden, is there a place for gardening? If security is a priority, ask about gates and monitoring policies.

 

Are financial planning or other resources available?

The person conducting the initial tour may wait to discuss fees, rates and other costs until the end, but it’s always helpful to be prepared with questions before you walk through the door. You may also want to ask if there is any financial paperwork that you should bring to your visit. Research senior living communities in your area to get some understanding of pricing. What is the pricing model of the senior living community you’re touring? What services are included in the rental rate?

Don’t assume all care services are offered at a flat rate. Ask specific questions about expenses, especially if you or your loved ones have specific needs. Are assisted living pricing tiers based on the level of care needed? Ask about any move-in fees or other introductory costs associated with being a new resident. Don’t forget to ask about refund policies as well as billing and payment policies.

 

What levels of care services does this community offer?

If you or your loved one needs additional care services, or might need them in the future, be prepared with questions to ask assisted living and long-term caregivers as well as providing information about your specific needs. Whether you are relatively independent but need help with medication management or have limited mobility and find activities of daily living difficult to manage on your own, it’s important to be clear about the support that is needed – to make sure the community can accommodate those needs. Ask about what kind of assistance and services are available. Does someone assist residents with meals? Can a staff member help residents get dressed or assist with grooming?

If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with a degenerative disease or a condition that you anticipate worsening over time, ask if the staff has experience managing that condition and if the community offers continuing care services.

Assisted living and memory care must be secured and licensed. Make sure the staff is specially trained and able to handle any challenges associated with memory impairments. Here are examples of what to ask when conducting research:

• How does the staff support and engage with residents?
• Is 24-hour care available?
• Is the care staff certified?
• What types of training have the staff completed?
• Will my loved one have the same caregivers?
• Is the community able to meet a wide range of health needs?
• If my loved one does not currently need a specific service but may in the future, can I add additional care services when needed?

 

What is the staff like?

Families turn to senior living communities for a greater standard of care and expertise than the family itself can provide. Try to observe one-on-one interactions between staff members and residents as a way to assess not only staff knowledge, but also traits like friendliness and patience.

From a more clinical perspective, ask your senior living professional the following questions to check if their staff meet high standards:

• Is your facility and staff accredited?
• Do staff attend ongoing training?
• Are staff members certified dementia care managers?
• What’s the staff-to-resident ratio?
• Do staff plan individualized care and treatments for each resident?
• How do staff care for residents with mobility concerns?
• How do staff care for residents with behavioral issues?
• Who coordinates outside visits?

 

What are the community’s activities and social offerings like?

The other residents at your new senior living community will become your friends and daily companions. Do current residents seem social, engaged, and happy? If you’re touring in person, consider visiting during a group activity to observe interactions among current residents. Attending an event or activity gives you a chance to see how the residents interact with each other and how the staff handles a larger group of residents.

One of the best perks about moving to a senior living community are the activities offered, as they provide opportunities to make friends and have fun. Ask for an events calendar to get a feel for whether you’d enjoy the community’s programs. Also ask:

• Where do the events take place?
• How often do events occur?
• What kind of events are offered?
• Do the residents have a favorite event?
• How many staff members are present during events?

Though questions, notes, and tips serve as a handy guide, they’re no substitute for your gut feelings. Ultimately, you know yourself best.

 

Make the Most of Your Community Tours

Choosing a senior living community is a major decision. Make the most of your community tours by being prepared, knowing what questions to ask, and making notes of anything important to you. With these questions and tips in mind, you’ll be able to get the most value from your tour, which should make your decision making process easier.

 

 

If you or your loved one is considering moving to a senior living community, be sure to take a tour of one of The Ohio Masonic Communities. With three senior living communities across the state of Ohio – Browning Masonic Community in Waterville, Ohio, Springfield Masonic Community in Springfield, Ohio, and Western Reserve Masonic Community in Medina, Ohio – each offers premier living options with exceptional experiences so residents can live their best lives. If you are interested in learning more about one of our communities, give us a call at 1-877-881-1623. We will be happy to answer all your questions and be a trusted resource in the search for the right community for you!