What to Expect on a Senior Living Tour
Before moving to a Senior / Retirement Living or Assisted Living community, you should tour a few options. Touring allows you to use all your senses and meet people. As you walk up to the doors and through the halls, take note of the differences at each place.
It’s perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed by this decision. After all, this is going to be your new home. The staff should be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Every place you visit will be different, but there are certain things you should look for in a retirement community. This post will explain what to expect and what to look for throughout your tour so you can feel comfortable.
Do You Feel Welcome?
Your first impression of the community matters. It’s what your family and friends will see when they visit you. What’s the first thing you notice when you walk up to the building? Is it the beautiful summer landscaping or winter decorations? Or is it the disarray of items and garbage out front? Look at the lobby area to see if it is clean. They might have a board listing activities or meals.
When you walk through the door or step up to the reception area, you should be greeted right away. This applies to staff and other residents as well. Unless everyone is eating a meal or attending an event, there will probably be people in the common areas to talk to.
Someone will connect you with your tour guide. The guide may say hello to people as they walk through the halls, which is an excellent sign that they’re familiar with others who live there.
Meet the Staff and Residents
You may also meet some nurses, CNAs, and other residents. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of everyone you meet. You can tell if people are friendly and will notice if the staff is engaged and respectful.
If activities are important to you, see if you can meet with a Life Enrichment team member or attend an activity. Every community will have different traditions, so don’t hesitate to share your ideas. You will probably find that others have similar hobbies and interests.
Touring the Living Areas
Depending on how many apartments are occupied, you should be able to inspect the model, just like you would if you were looking at apartments anywhere else. Pay attention to what’s different from your current living situation and what’s the same. You may want to know that there’s some natural light. You might also find that having grab bars or emergency call systems provides a level of safety you didn’t have previously.
If you’re looking at a semi-private area, see how space is designated for each person. Don’t be shy about asking to see different apartments. This will be your home.
Explore All the Shared Spaces
Senior living communities usually have shared spaces for events and activities, as well as for sitting and lounging. Make sure your tour includes these areas. The other residents will become your new friends, and these are the places where you’ll gather. Most locations will include a dining room and a living space for activities. Others will include a library, salon, chapel, fitness area, outdoor patios, and even pool tables.
Look at the activity calendar for the month. As you tour, you’ll see where the activities are taking place.
Dining and Menu Options
Food is essential, not only for its taste but also for its nutritional value. Look at a sample menu or see if you can stay for a meal. If you have specific dietary needs, see if those options are available. If you don’t like the meal options for the day, see if a set of alternative options is available.
In addition to the daily menu and meals, find out if snacks are available during the day and if they have coffee.
Services and Care Levels
Depending on your needs, the staff will guide you through the different levels of care and what you can expect from each. Each care level has associated services. Understand all their service levels, including Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, and Rehabilitation, so there are no surprises later. Even looking at Retirement Living, you’ll want to understand the available Assisted Living options. That way, the transition will be seamless if you ever need a higher level of care. Some communities that don’t offer a higher level of care have sister communities available.
Ask about how they will develop and review your care plan and how they handle medical emergencies. Understanding staff-to-resident ratios and what kind of support is available 24/7 is also helpful.
Costs and Contracts
Pricing structures can vary, from all-inclusive to a la carte. Communities also vary between contract types. You may pay a deposit upfront in addition to the monthly fee to have a guarantee of care at different levels. Or you can pay a monthly payment with the option to move into a higher level of care at current rates.
To compare and contrast, you want to know what’s included in each structure. Make sure to bring a notebook, and don’t hesitate to ask for a breakdown you can take with you. If you need assistance with your research, refer to our research checklist.
Trust Yourself
The most important thing about your tour is how you feel when you’re there. The facts are not as important. Determine if this is a place where you can thrive. The second most important thing is not to stress. You can always come back and tour again, join in a meal, or attend an activity.
Visit Us
Choosing a place to live is not a rush decision. A tour is the perfect place to start if you’re beginning your search for a Senior Living community. At Providence Life Services, we believe everyone deserves care, respect, and a community where they can feel truly at home.
Please read our other blog on Questions to Ask When Picking a Senior Care Community.
We’d love to show you around. Schedule a tour with us today.
