14 Questions to Ask When Touring a Senior Living Facility

The process of choosing a senior care facility can be overwhelming and, quite frankly, intimidating. It is essential to find the best fit for your loved one’s needs now and in the future. It may look impossible to narrow down which ones are right for you or your loved one with so many options. You can also considered hiring professional help. We’ve created this article with some questions to ask when touring a senior living facility.

1. What is the average length of stay at this facility? Families that are looking to make a more permanent decision may find it beneficial if their loved one will be able to live in the same place for an extended period of time. If you’re on the fence about what’s best, we recommend starting out with shorter stays before settling down permanently.
2. Where do caregivers come from, and how many are there per resident? The quality of care taken by each caregiver can vary depending on where they work, so it’s important to know who is taking care of your loved ones. For instance, some facilities have more nurses than others which could offer better monitoring options or even provide around-the-clock services. Consider questions like these when touring different senior living facilities to make the best choice for your loved one.
3. What type of care does this facility offer? The staff at this senior living community provides 24-hour skilled nursing and medical services, as well as daily exercise programs. There are also specialty clinics on-site that can provide your loved one with rehabilitation therapy or other specialized needs. You can check the Senior Site for searching the centre with your preferred requirements.
4. What is the best option to contact someone from the senior care community? This particular facility makes sure that its residents are always connected with services and caregivers by providing them with a concierge line. Residents and visitors alike have access to 24/hour assistance for questions, tasks, or anything in between.
5. Is there a memory center within the building? There’s no better way for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease than to be surrounded by those who live what may feel like a similar lifestyle, so these types of facilities often offer specific areas designed just for people living with dementia.
6. How does this facility keep its residents healthy? Healthy eating is essential for the residents living in this facility and for their families who visit. This type of senior care facility makes sure that they have a certified nutritionist on staff and healthy meals options are available at all times.
7. What are the residents doing in their free time? One query that people often have is what seniors living at this facility do for fun. With all this space and beautiful scenery around every corner, there’s always something new to discover. Some facilities offer classes such as art therapy or even cooking lessons while others may have some designated areas where they hold events like movie nights with popcorn and tea – making it inviting for families visiting from far away too!
8. What types of activities do you offer? What kind of amenities does your community provide to help our seniors stay active? Activities such as tai chi classes, seminars about health topics like dementia or arthritis prevention, and even pet therapy make life seem less lonely, which can go a long way when it comes to mental health. Is there access to transportation services within these communities? Transportation isn’t necessary just for guests arriving from out-of-town; many people find themselves depending on rides because they don’t feel safe driving or they have difficulty getting around.
9. How would you describe this community’s culture and atmosphere?: Most senior care facilities strive for an environment that feels like home. Some are more lively, with colorful decorations and artwork on the walls, while others may be more subdued to cater to residents who prefer a quieter lifestyle. You need to find the right one for your loved one, and it’s always a good idea to ask questions during your tour.
10. What is the policy for visitors and their children?: It’s important to know what the visiting policy is at any care facility you are considering. Some facilities don’t allow children under 18, while others choose to allow them with parental supervision or restrict visits by age group and time frames. Knowing this will help you prepare for what to expect when your loved one is ready to move into a care facility.
11. What types of food are served?: Just like any other place, it’s important that the person living in the senior care facility has access and enjoys their favorite foods on occasion. It can be hard if there isn’t much variety or they’re not allowed certain things due to dietary restrictions. What type of dining does the staff offer? Is there fresh fruit available daily? Knowing this information will help ensure your loved one gets enough nutrition while residing at the care facility.
12. How many bathrooms are there per floor?: How many floors exist within the facility? Some questions to ask are: how many bathrooms exist per floor and what times of day do the residents have access to them. If someone needs assistance, it’s important that they can easily find a bathroom within close proximity. You can also look over if there are any special carriages or assistive devices available in case someone needs help getting to the nearest bathroom.
13. How often is housekeeping completed?: Housekeeping can be a very important factor when choosing what type of senior care facility you would like your loved one to live at. Some questions that should be asked during touring include how often they clean, what days it occurs, and whether or not there are different levels of cleaning service offered. If this does not seem clear from their website, ask them about it during your tour, so you know exactly what you’re agreeing on if signing up with them.
14. Are their activities tailored to suit my loved one’s needs?: When touring a senior living facility, it is important that you ask questions relating specifically to things like cooking classes, exercise sessions, and special diets if applicable. It may not seem relevant now, but down the road, these questions will come into play when deciding whether this care home offers exactly what you’re looking for your loved one with regards to lifestyle choices.

Conclusion:

Asking questions like these during a tour is important because it helps paint a better picture of what senior living facilities have to offer and if they would be right for your close one’s needs now and in the future.