What to Bring and Ask on Your First Senior Living Tour

The Complete Senior Living Tour Checklist

Touring senior living communities is exciting but can also feel overwhelming. You'll see beautiful lobbies, hear about amenities, and meet friendly staff. But how do you know which community is truly the best fit?

This guide will help you tour like an insider, ask the right questions, and spot red flags.

Before the Tour: What to Bring

✅ This checklist (print or save on your phone) ✅ Notebook or phone for taking notes ✅ Camera for photos (ask permission first) ✅ List of medications and medical conditions ✅ Budget information (monthly income, assets, insurance) ✅ Your loved one (if appropriate and able to participate) ✅ Another family member for a second perspective

Tour Timing Strategy

Schedule tours at strategic times:

• Mealtime tours: See the dining room in action, quality of food, and social atmosphere
• Activity times: Observe resident engagement and programming quality
• Multiple visits: Come back at different times of day
• Weekday vs. weekend: Staffing levels may differ

Pro tip: Call ahead and ask when lunch is served and what activities are happening that day.

First Impressions: What to Notice Immediately

As soon as you walk in:

Smell Test

• Does it smell clean and fresh, or are there odors?
• Can you smell urine, strong cleaning chemicals, or food smells in hallways?

Cleanliness

• Are common areas tidy and well-maintained?
• Check bathrooms—are they clean?
• Look at corners, baseboards, and windows

Resident Appearance

• Do residents look clean, well-groomed, and appropriately dressed?
• Are they engaged in activities or sitting idle?
• Do they seem happy and comfortable?

Staff Interactions

• Do staff members greet residents warmly by name?
• Do they respond quickly to call lights or requests?
• Do staff seem rushed or stressed?

Questions to Ask About Care

Staffing

1. What is your staff-to-resident ratio? (1:6-8 during day is typical for assisted living)
2. Is a nurse on-site 24/7 or just during business hours?
3. How do you handle staff turnover?
4. What training do caregivers receive?
5. Who covers nights and weekends?

Daily Care

1. How do you customize care plans for each resident?
2. How often are care plans reviewed and updated?
3. Can care increase if needs change, or would they need to move?
4. How do you handle medication management?
5. What happens in a medical emergency?

Memory Care (if applicable)

1. What specialized training do staff have in dementia care?
2. How do you handle wandering and behavioral changes?
3. Is the memory care unit secured?
4. What types of cognitive activities do you offer?

Questions About Daily Life

Food and Dining

1. Can I see a sample weekly menu?
2. Can you accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences?
3. Are meals served at set times or flexible?
4. Can residents eat in their room if they want?
5. Are snacks available between meals?
6. Can we stay for lunch today? ⭐ (Best way to evaluate food)

Activities and Socialization

1. Can I see this month's activity calendar?
2. Are activities optional or encouraged?
3. Do you offer outings into Cleveland?
4. How do you help new residents make friends?
5. Is transportation available for appointments, shopping, and social events?

Living Arrangements

1. Can I see multiple room options?
2. Can residents bring their own furniture?
3. Is WiFi included? How reliable is it?
4. Can they have pets? (If applicable)
5. How often is housekeeping provided?
6. Who does laundry?

Questions About Costs

Be direct about money—it matters:

1. What is the total monthly cost, including all fees?
2. What's included vs. what costs extra? (Get it in writing)
3. How often do you raise rates?
4. Do you accept Medicaid? If not now, will you later if they run out of money?
5. What's the refund policy if they move out?
6. Are there move-in specials or incentives?
7. Can I see a sample contract?

Cleveland-specific: Ask if they accept Ohio Medicaid Assisted Living Waiver and how the transition works.

Red Flags to Watch For

🚩 Pushy sales tactics ("This is the last room!" or "Sign today for a discount")

🚩 Won't let you tour unannounced or only offer scheduled tours

🚩 Staff doesn't know residents' names or ignores them

🚩 Residents sitting alone with nothing to do

🚩 High staff turnover ("We just hired a new director")

🚩 Evasive answers about costs, staffing, or care

🚩 Locked in their room or residents calling for help

🚩 Poor food quality (small portions, cold, unappetizing)

🚩 Unwilling to provide references from current residents or families

🚩 Can't answer specific questions about licenses, inspections, or ownership

Green Lights: Great Signs

✅ Staff greet you warmly and can answer detailed questions

✅ Residents seem happy, engaged, and socialized

✅ Multiple residents or families recommend it without prompting

✅ Clean, well-maintained building with thoughtful design

✅ Transparent about costs and contracts

✅ Encourages you to talk to current residents and families

✅ Active, meaningful activities happening (not just bingo)

✅ Delicious, well-presented meals

✅ Good online reviews and inspection reports

After the Tour: Evaluation

Within 24 hours, write down:

1. First impressions and gut feeling
2. Specific things your loved one liked or didn't like
3. Cost breakdown and what's included
4. Answers to your key questions
5. Anything that felt "off" or concerning

Compare communities using these criteria:

• Care quality and staffing
• Cleanliness and maintenance
• Food and dining
• Activities and social life
• Location (proximity to family, Cleveland attractions)
• Cost and value
• Staff warmth and professionalism
• Resident happiness

Pro tip: Create a simple spreadsheet with communities as rows and these criteria as columns. Rate each 1-5.

Special Considerations for Cleveland Families

Location matters:

• East Side (Beachwood, Shaker Heights, Lyndhurst): Upscale communities, close to Cleveland Clinic and Case Western
• West Side (Lakewood, Westlake, Rocky River): Active senior communities, close to Lake Erie
• Downtown Cleveland: Urban options for active seniors who want walkability
• Akron/South: More affordable options, near Akron hospitals

Cleveland weather: Ask about:

• Snow removal and walkway maintenance
• Indoor activities during winter months
• Transportation reliability in bad weather

How Many Communities Should You Tour?

Recommended: 5-7 tours

• Gives you good comparison points
• Not so many that you're overwhelmed
• Enough to understand what's available in your price range

Narrow it down to top 2-3, then:

• Visit again at different times
• Eat a meal there
• Ask to speak with residents and families
• Review contracts carefully
• Check inspection reports online

Get Help with Tours

Our free services include:

• Recommending 5-7 communities based on your needs and budget
• Scheduling all tours for you
• Providing this checklist and tour guide
• Accompanying you on tours if helpful
• Helping you compare options and make a decision

We know every Cleveland community personally and can tell you what they're really like—both the good and the not-so-good.

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Ready to start touring? Browse Cleveland communities or contact us for personalized recommendations.