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Touring a Senior Living Community? Read This First.

When is the best time to tour a senior living community? Anytime, actually! However, with the arrival of the new year, many communities tend to receive more requests to tour than usual. Why? Those holiday conversations about an older loved one’s health and well-being gradually become concerns about independence, mobility, memory, and isolation as mom or dad manages life alone. Add to that the threat of unpredictable winter weather and its impact on seniors, and suddenly, touring a senior living community has become a good idea.

If you’re at a crossroads and looking for support and assistance for an aging loved one or for yourself, don’t hesitate to tour a community sooner rather than later. In this article, we share a checklist of helpful questions to ask when touring to guide your search.

 

What to Know Before You Tour

Myths about touring a senior living community abound! Many people wrongly assume that touring a community means you have committed to moving. This could not be further from the truth. Touring a community is an educational opportunity to learn more about the life and offerings of independent living, assisted living, or memory care options. It’s an exploratory process that takes time and, often, multiple visits to different communities.

Some prospective residents put off touring until conditions are “perfect” – waiting for declining health, the sale of a home, or even favorable weather! Even if you or a senior loved one is not ready to move, touring a senior living community early on offers an opportunity to make an informed and thoughtful decision. This timeline eliminates the stress of making an urgent decision during a crisis or immediate need while waiting to tour a community until a loved one’s health is compromised can result in a more challenging transition.

 

Benefits of Touring a Community (On Your Timeline)

Touring a community on your timeline (and not during a crisis of need) can offer the following benefits:

Better availability – Prospective residents who tour a community well in advance can be placed on a waiting list for their preferred apartment/residence, taking advantage of prime locations, floor plans, styles, and layouts.

Seamless transition - With time to plan and coordinate a move, prospective residents who tour a community early on have the luxury of downsizing and transitioning to their new home without urgency.

Affordability – After touring a community and evaluating financial eligibility, you’ll have time to compare options and pricing to determine the most affordable option. For adults generally in good health, exploring a long-term care insurance option before a move can help finance the cost of senior living.

Seasonal support: Touring a community in advance allows you to schedule a move during a favorable time of the year. Avoid another winter isolated and alone at home or move before the summer storm season to avoid the responsibilities of preparing your home for potential power outages and other costly damage.

 

Touring Checklist: Helpful Questions to Ask

Whenever you decide to schedule your tour, knowing what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to prepare for your visit is helpful. As you evaluate each community, remember that relationships with staff and residents are essential. Take advantage of any chance to dine with residents, attend a community event or program, and talk to other families about what life is like for their loved ones. These interactions will offer valuable information about what life truly is like for residents.

After scheduling your tour, familiarize yourself with the touring checklist of questions below:

About the Community:

  • Does the community feel warm and welcoming?
  • Is there evidence of meaningful relationships between and among residents, staff, and family members?
  • Is the staff visible and available to residents?
  • Are the interactions between residents and staff positive, respectful, and supportive?
  • Who owns or manages the community?
  • How often are the owners/managers on-site in the community?
  • How long has the community’s Executive Director been with the community?
  • What is the longevity like among the community’s department managers and other staff?

About the Building:

  • Is the building clean, clutter-free, and odor-free?
  • Is the building easy to get around in?
  • Are the common areas welcoming and well-kept?
  • Is there music playing, fresh flowers, or live plants anywhere?
  • Is it a long walk to and from the main gathering areas and resident apartments?
  • Is there a safe pathway for walking outdoors or in and around the building?
  • Are the resident apartments smartly designed with accessible fixtures, grab bars, and other safety features?
  • Do resident common areas appear to be enjoyed and utilized?

About Safety & Security:

  • What type of call-for-aid system does the community utilize to assist residents?
  • What security features and procedures protect residents’ safety?
  • How does the community secure and monitor building entrances, exits, and grounds?
  • Are background checks completed for employees and volunteers?
  • How are residents alerted in an emergency?

About Memory Care:

  • If the community offers memory care, is the setting easy to navigate with spaces to gather and socialize?
  • What safety measures provide a secure home environment for residents living with dementia or cognitive change?
  • Are nursing staff trained in dementia-care best practices?
  • What levels of care are available for residents living with cognitive change?
  • How does the community foster cognitive health and meaningful engagement for residents experiencing memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer’s?
  • Are there stimulating activities taking place during your tour? Do residents seem active, happy, and involved?
  • Are there secure outdoor spaces residents can utilize independently?
  • What kind of wander protection system is offered?
  • How does the community support residents living with dementia throughout the dining experience?

About the Services & Amenities:

  • What hospitality services are included in the monthly rent? (housekeeping, maintenance, laundry, meals, transportation, activities, concierge, etc.)
  • Can residents do their laundry if they wish? Are laundry facilities easily accessible?
  • What is the procedure for trash removal?
  • Does the community allow pets? If so, what are the guidelines?
  • Is there a salon, barbershop, or spa on-site?
  • Is there a fitness center with wellness offerings?
  • What kind of parking accommodations are available to residents?
  • What are the hours of the front desk/concierge staff?
  • What kind of transportation does the community provide? What are the costs associated with this service?

About Care Services & Support:

  • What supportive care services (healthcare services) can the community provide to assist residents?
  • Are care services provided by community staff or an outside healthcare agency?\
  • How is the community staffed to provide on-site care? Are nursing aides in the building twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week?
  • What kind of safety checks are in place to monitor residents?
  • How are supportive care services structured? Are they included in the monthly rent, or are services priced as part of a care package or an a la carte charge?
  • Are health and wellness services, such as therapy or physician visits available on-site?

About Resident Engagement

  • Is there a full calendar of meaningful events and activities with individualized and group activities?
  • Do programs support residents’ independence and desire to learn, grow, and contribute?
  • How involved are residents in facilitating activities, events, and programs, and are they encouraged to volunteer?
  • Are there ample opportunities for social connection, making friends, and shared experiences?
  • Do programs engage the mind, body, and spirit?
  • Are activities scheduled on weekdays, evenings, and weekends?
  • Is there a healthy variety of programs and activities?
  • What spiritual care and support services are available to residents?
  • Who facilitates activities, events, and programs?
  • Are outings, shopping trips, and off-site activities offered regularly?

About Dining Services:

  • How many meals are included in the monthly rent? Are snacks included?
  • What dietary preferences/needs can be accommodated?
  • What types of seating options are available in the resident dining room?
  • Can residents dine with a guest? Can a private area be reserved for dining with family/friends?
  • Can residents receive dining service in their apartments? If so, what is the cost?

 

What to Know After You Tour

After you tour a community, you may want to consider placing a deposit. If the community has availability for new residents, you may be able to reserve a particular apartment or home by placing a deposit. If the community is at capacity, putting down a deposit can often ensure placement on the community’s waiting list with options for the next available offering. Inquire about community fees, additional costs, or other requirements for signing a resident agreement, and be sure to ask whether residents can review the lease before signing the agreement. You’ll also want to know when rate increases or renewals are scheduled.

Most seniors and families will visit multiple communities (between one and five communities) before deciding the right fit. Some immediately fall in love with one community, while others prefer to compare several options. Touring one, two, or three communities offers ample choices without overwhelming the decision-making process.

To learn more about choosing the right senior living community for yourself or a senior loved one, contact a Stoney Brook senior living expert today. Experience the Stoney Brook difference and the many benefits of relationship-centered living! Subscribe to our blog for valuable free resources. Schedule a tour at any of our Central Texas assisted living and memory care communities and see why our residents call Stoney Brook home.

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