10 Questions to Ask When Touring an Assisted Living Community

A polished lobby tells you little. These ten questions reveal what daily life and care are really like — bring them to every tour.

Before you go

Visit at least three communities, ideally at different times of day. Eat a meal, watch how staff speak to residents, and trust your gut. Then work through these questions.

The 10 questions

1. What's included in the monthly price, and what costs extra? Care levels, medication management, and add-ons can add thousands.
2. How do costs change as my parent needs more care? Ask for the full pricing tiers in writing.
3. What is the staff-to-resident ratio — day and night? Nights are when thin staffing shows.
4. How are caregivers trained, and what is staff turnover like? High turnover is a red flag.
5. What happens in a medical emergency? Who responds, how fast, and what's the nearest hospital?
6. Can my parent age in place here? Or will they have to move again if care needs rise?
7. What does a typical day look like? Ask to see the activity calendar and the dining experience.
8. How do you handle medication management? Who administers it, and how are errors prevented?
9. What is the move-out and refund policy? Understand notice periods and deposits before you sign.
10. May I speak with current residents' families? A confident community will say yes.

After the tour

Write down your impressions immediately — they blur together fast. Compare communities on care and feel, not just price. The cheapest option is rarely the best value, and the most expensive isn't automatically the best care.