15 Questions to Ask on Every Senior Living Tour

Look past the lobby

A beautiful building can be wonderful, but it tells you very little about what your loved one's Tuesday morning will feel like. A strong tour looks at care delivery, staffing, communication, culture, cost, and how the provider responds when needs change.

Questions about care and staffing

• How do you assess a new resident before move-in?
• Who creates the care plan, and how often is it reviewed?
• What staffing is present overnight and on weekends?
• How do you handle a resident who needs more help than expected?
• How are medications managed, and who communicates changes to the family?
• What training do caregivers receive for dementia, transfers, falls, and behavioral changes?

Questions about cost

• What is included in the advertised monthly rate?
• Which care services create additional charges?
• How often can rates or care fees change?
• Are there community, move-in, assessment, or other one-time fees?
• What happens financially if the resident is hospitalized or temporarily away?

Questions about daily life and future needs

• What does a normal day look like for someone with my loved one's interests and abilities?
• How do you communicate with family members when something changes?
• Which changes in health or behavior could require a move to a different setting?
• Can we speak with families of current residents or visit at a different time of day?

Pay attention to what is not on the brochure

Notice whether residents appear known by name, whether staff interactions feel patient, whether call lights or requests are being answered, how the building smells, and whether leadership is visible. Ask the same core questions at every tour so you can compare providers fairly rather than relying on memory or first impressions.