Tour three to five communities with the same checklist, and spend your questions on staffing, care reassessment, medication policy, costs, and discharge rules. The chandelier in the lobby won't take care of your mother — the overnight staff will.
Staffing and care
- Caregiver-to-resident ratio — days, nights, weekends?
- Staff turnover, and how long the director has been here?
- How is care assessed and reassessed — and what triggers a higher tier?
- Medication support: reminders or administration, and who is trained to do it?
- Average call-button response time?
Costs and contract
- Full monthly cost — base + care tier + community fee?
- Rate-increase history over the last three years?
- Written discharge criteria? What happens if funds run low?
Observe for yourself
- Eat a meal; look at this week's activity calendar
- Ask for the most recent state inspection report
- Come back unannounced at a different time of day
What your options depend on
- Care level: touring memory care? Add questions about secured units and dementia training
- Budget: pin down the all-in monthly number, not just base rent
- Preparation: bring a medication list and your budget range
How A Place for Seniors advisors help
An A Place for Seniors advisor can prep a checklist tailored to your parent's needs and debrief with you after each tour — the red flags (same-day signing pressure, vague fees, an understaffed wing) are easier to catch with a second set of eyes.
Your next step
Getting ready to tour? Take our placement quiz — it takes a few minutes, and an A Place for Seniors advisor follows up at no cost to your family. Or browse communities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, and Utah.
Related questions
- What to Ask Before Signing a Senior Living Contract
- How to Compare Senior Living Communities
- What Fees Should You Ask About Before Signing?
This is general information, not medical, legal, or financial advice.