25 questions to ask when you tour assisted living or memory care

Short answer: The most important questions on an assisted-living or memory-care tour are: what level the home is licensed for (directed care for dementia), whether caregivers are awake overnight, staff tenure and turnover, what would force a move-out, the full monthly cost and how it changes, and whether they accept ALTCS. Then trust what you see and feel.

Print this checklist

License and safety

1. What level are you licensed for: supervisory, personal or directed care? Can I see the license?
2. Can I look you up on AZ Care Check? Were there any recent deficiencies, and what changed?
3. How are exits secured? What happens if a resident tries to leave?
4. Is the building sprinklered? How often do you run fire drills?

Staff

5. Are caregivers awake overnight, or asleep on call?
6. How many caregivers are on duty during the day, evening and overnight?
7. How long have your caregivers worked here? Do you use agency staff?
8. What dementia training do caregivers receive?
9. Who is in charge day to day, and how do I reach them?

Care

10. What care needs would require my parent to move out?
11. Can you do Hoyer-lift transfers? Two-person assists? Insulin? Catheter care?
12. Do you allow outside home health or physical therapy?
13. How do you handle sundowning, wandering and refusing care?
14. How do you handle medications, and who reviews them?
15. How will you tell me if something changes, and how quickly?

Money

16. What exactly is the monthly rate, and what isn't included?
17. How are care levels set, and how much do they change the price?
18. Are there move-in or community fees?
19. Do you accept ALTCS? Which plans? Can my parent stay if they switch from private pay to ALTCS?
20. How much notice is required to move out, and is there a refund policy?

Daily life

21. What does a typical day look like? Can I see this week's activity calendar?
22. Can I see the menu, or stay for a meal? How are special diets handled?
23. Are visiting hours flexible? Can grandkids visit?
24. Is there safe outdoor space residents can use on their own?
25. How are roommates matched, and what happens if it isn't working?

What to notice without asking

• The smell. A clean home smells like nothing, or like lunch.
• Residents. Are they up, dressed, groomed and engaged, or parked in front of a TV?
• Caregivers. Do they make eye contact with residents, use names, kneel to talk to someone in a wheelchair?
• The call light. If one goes off, how long does it take?
• Your gut. Could you picture your mom here on a Tuesday afternoon?

Visit twice if you can, once at a different time of day. Bring a sibling. And never let anyone rush you.

Common questions