Touring a senior living community is often the first time a family feels the reality of what they’re considering. It can be emotional, overwhelming, and — if you don’t know what to look for — easy to be swayed by a beautiful lobby and a polished presentation.
These 12 questions will help you look past the surface and find out what daily life is actually like for residents.
About Staffing
- What is the staff-to-resident ratio during day shifts and overnight?
- How long has the average caregiver been employed here? (High turnover is a red flag.)
- Who is on staff overnight — and what’s the response protocol if a resident needs help?
About Daily Life
- Can we see a sample weekly activity calendar?
- How are meals prepared — and can we eat one with you today?
- What does a typical day look like for a resident here?
- How do you handle residents who want to go to bed early, sleep late, or keep their own schedule?
About Care
- How do you handle a resident whose care needs increase over time?
- How do you communicate with families — and how often?
- Can I speak with a family member of a current resident?
About Faith and Values
- How does your faith or values show up in day-to-day care?
- What happens when a resident is near the end of life — how does your team support them and their family?
Trust your instincts. Do the staff seem genuinely happy to be there? Do the residents seem content? Are they calling staff by name? Are the hallways quiet and calm — or tense and rushed? You will feel the culture of a place within minutes of walking in.
We welcome every one of these questions — and more. Schedule a tour at any of our three homes and see for yourself what home-style care looks like.