A TruePath family resource · October 2026
Take better questions on your next senior living tour.
Use the same questions at each community or adult family home. Take notes, include the person moving as much as possible, and ask providers to confirm important details in writing.
Download the free PDFCare that fits the person
- Can you meet the person's assessed needs now? Who confirms that, and what information is required?
- What changes in needs could require different services or another move?
- How are medications, mobility support, and overnight needs handled?
- Who should we contact about a concern or change in condition?
Staffing and communication
- Who is on site during the day, overnight, and on weekends?
- What training and supervision apply to the care the person needs?
- How do you communicate with the resident, family, and outside care team?
- What is your process for emergencies and for addressing complaints?
Daily life and personal preferences
- What does a typical day look like? What activities are available and optional?
- How are food preferences, special diets, visitors, pets, and routines accommodated?
- Can we see the actual room, shared spaces, and outdoor areas?
- What matters most to the person moving, and how would that work here?
Costs and written terms
- What is included in the base rate, and what costs extra?
- How are care charges determined and changed? Ask for a written estimate.
- What are the deposit, refund, notice, and discharge or move-out terms?
- What funding arrangements do you accept, and what happens if resources change?
Before deciding
- Verify the provider's current license and review available inspection information with the appropriate state agency.
- Confirm availability, assessment requirements, and what must happen before admission.
- Ask for the agreement and policies to review before committing.
- Write down unanswered questions, who will answer them, and the next follow-up date.
Compare the experience, too.
After each tour, note what felt comfortable, what concerned you, and what still needs an answer. A tour is one source of information; it does not replace a clinical assessment, license check, or careful agreement review.
Educational planning questions only. Clinical needs and admission suitability must be assessed by qualified professionals and the prospective provider.