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Free touring checklist

What to ask — and what to look for — on a senior living tour

Tours are designed to impress. This checklist helps you see past the fresh-baked-cookie smell to the things that actually matter — staffing, real costs, care, and the contract. Start with the 10 questions below, then use the printable checklist to compare communities side by side.

10 questions that reveal the truth
Compare 3 communities
Printable to carry on tours

10 questions to ask on every tour

These are the questions experienced senior-living advisors ask — the ones that surface what a brochure leaves out. Ask them at every community so you can compare answers fairly.

  1. 1

    What's your caregiver-to-resident ratio — daytime, overnight, and weekends?

    Staffing thins out exactly when families aren't visiting. The overnight and weekend numbers tell you more than the brochure ever will.

  2. 2

    What's your staff turnover rate, and how long has the executive director been here?

    Turnover is the single best hidden signal of quality. Communities where caregivers stay are communities where residents are cared for well.

  3. 3

    How often do rates increase, and by how much over the last three years?

    The budget-killer nobody volunteers. A community that raised rates 8% a year will cost far more in year three than the sticker price suggests.

  4. 4

    What triggers a move to a higher (more expensive) level of care, and who decides?

    Care-level reassessments are where monthly bills jump by hundreds or thousands of dollars. Know how the assessment works before you sign.

  5. 5

    If my parent's needs increase, can they stay — or what would force a move-out?

    A second move is traumatic and expensive. Ask what happens as needs change so you are not blindsided in a year.

  6. 6

    Who administers medications, and what training do they have?

    Medication errors are common and serious. The answer reveals how seriously a community takes clinical safety.

  7. 7

    When a resident presses a call button, what's your average response time?

    Then ask to see it happen during your tour. Response time is the everyday reality of life there.

  8. 8

    Can I eat a meal here today?

    Taste the food — don't read the menu. Dining is one of the biggest day-to-day quality-of-life factors, and it is easy to test on the spot.

  9. 9

    What did residents do yesterday — can I see this month’s activity calendar?

    A real calendar with real attendance reveals a life worth living versus residents parked in front of a television.

  10. 10

    Walk me through the full contract: community fee, base rate, care add-ons, and what happens if the money runs out.

    This surfaces refund policies, notice periods, and whether the community accepts Medicaid or the New Choices Waiver if savings are exhausted.

The full touring checklist

Fill this in as you tour — a checkbox and a notes field for each of three communities. Your answers save automatically on this device. When you're ready, download or print it to carry on tours and compare your top choices side by side.

Your answers save automatically on this device

Senior Living Touring Checklist

localsenioradvisor.com

What to check

1. First impressions & environment

Building and grounds are clean and well-maintained
No unpleasant odors (no heavy air freshener masking smells)
Comfortable temperature, good lighting, low noise
Handrails, grab bars, and bright lighting in hallways
Secure entrances and exits (especially for memory care)
Inviting outdoor space residents can actually use
Common areas feel lived-in, not staged

2. Staff & care

Caregiver-to-resident ratio — day / evening / overnight
Staff turnover rate; how long leadership has been here
Caregivers are employees, not rotating agency staff
Staff greet residents warmly and by name
Staff training and background-check process
How daily care is documented and shared with family

3. Health & medical

Who administers medications and their training
Licensed nurse on-site — when, and on-call after hours
Average call-button response time (ask to see it)
On-call physician, therapy, podiatry, and lab services
Emergency procedure and hospital coordination
How health changes are communicated to family

4. Dining

Food quality — eat a meal during the tour
Menu variety and rotation; residents have input
Accommodates special diets (diabetic, low-sodium, allergies)
Flexible mealtimes and between-meal snacks
Hydration support throughout the day
Dining room is clean, social, and unhurried

5. Daily life & activities

Current activity calendar — variety and frequency
Residents look engaged, not parked in front of a TV
Outings and transportation to appointments
Religious or spiritual services available
Pet policy (visiting and resident pets)
Visiting hours and family involvement
Fitness, hobbies, and social clubs

6. The apartment or room

Room size and layout meet your needs
Bathroom safety — grab bars, walk-in shower, call cord
Individual climate control
What furniture and fixtures are provided
Kitchenette or refrigerator availability
Residents can personalize and decorate the space
Storage and closet space

7. Costs & contract

Base monthly rate and exactly what it includes
Community / entrance fee and whether it is refundable
Care-level pricing tiers and what triggers a move up
How often rates increase, and by how much (last 3 years)
Deposit and refund policy if a resident moves or passes away
Notice period required to move out
Accepts Medicaid / New Choices Waiver; what if funds run out
Accepts long-term care insurance and VA benefits

8. Move-in & transitions

Move-in assessment process and timeline
Current availability or waitlist length
Whether the resident can age in place as needs increase
Circumstances that would require a move-out (discharge criteria)
Trial stay or respite option to test the fit
Help coordinating the physical move-in

9. Your gut check

Residents looked happy, comfortable, and well-groomed
You could picture your loved one living here
Staff answered questions openly — no dodging or pressure
You would feel comfortable visiting often
Overall feeling about this community

Tip: print this before each tour and fill it in by hand, or fill it in here as you go — your notes stay saved on this device so you can compare communities later.

Common questions about touring

Is the touring checklist free to use?
Yes. You can use the full interactive checklist and compare three communities for free. We only ask for your contact information when you want to download or print the checklist — and that step also connects you with a local advisor who can help, at no cost.
How many senior living communities should I tour?
Most families find three to five tours is the right range — enough to calibrate what good looks like, without becoming overwhelming. This checklist is built to compare three communities side by side, which is a practical number to keep straight.
Should I schedule tours in advance or just drop in?
Do both. A scheduled tour shows you the community at its best and gets you time with staff. An unannounced visit — ideally during a meal or in the late afternoon — shows you the everyday reality. If a community welcomes drop-ins, that is a good sign.
What should I bring to a senior living tour?
Bring this checklist, a written list of your loved one’s care needs and medications, your budget range, and a list of questions about cost. Taking notes during the tour matters — by the third community, details blur together.
Does this checklist work outside Utah?
The questions and the checklist are universal — they apply to assisted living, memory care, and independent living anywhere. Our community directory and free advisor service are focused on Utah, but the touring tool is useful for any family.

Want a second opinion before you decide?

A local Utah advisor can review your tour notes, flag what to dig into, and help you compare your finalists — free, with no pressure.

Talk to an Advisor