How to Choose the Right Assisted Living Community

A senior living residence can offer friendly neighbors and social opportunities, tailored support and assistance, luxury amenities, and services that make life more convenient. However, finding the right senior living community can be an overwhelming process with older adults and their family members struggling to know where to start. Fortunately, knowing what to look for and which questions to ask senior living facilities can help you narrow down your options so that you can make a confident decision.

Key Takeaways

• Knowing potential red flags can help you know when to begin searching for the right senior living community
• Understanding community costs, and what those costs cover (and don’t cover) are key to your decision-making process
• Look at more than just luxury amenities, including quality of life indicators like events, dining, and social opportunities
• Touring your short-list of communities can give you a glimpse into what life is like there
• Download and use our checklist to help you stay focused during your tours

Signs It Might Be Time for Assisted Living

It is never too early to begin looking at senior living options, including assisted living. In fact, understanding local options can make a decision easier when it becomes necessary, even in an unplanned or medical crisis situation. 

However, if you haven’t started looking at assisted living options in your preferred location, here are some signs that it could be time to begin:

• A fall in the past 6 months
• Medication errors or mismanagement in the past 3 months
• Changes in appetite or unintended, rapid weight loss or gain
• Poor personal hygiene, including wearing dirty clothes or not bathing regularly
• Complex and chronic medical conditions
• Unmanaged or chronic pain
• Anxiety over a complex medication schedule
• Social isolation or feelings of loneliness
• Inability to manage household responsibilities, including tidying up, laundry, and meal prep
• A physician recommended senior living

Understanding these challenges can help you know what to look for as you begin your search for the right senior living community.

Cost & Pricing Structure

Any sound decision begins by making a wise financial review. Choosing senior living is no different. Begin by narrowing down your list of potential communities by taking a look at your budget, including how much money your loved one currently spends on rent/mortgage, insurance, groceries, maintenance, dining out, transportation, etc.

Work with a financial planner to understand how much money your loved one has to work with in the short and long term. Then, take that information and ask potential communities about cost and pricing:

• What is the monthly fee for living here?
• What services and amenities does the monthly fee cover? What is not covered by this monthly fee?
• Are all 3 meals covered by my monthly assessment?
• Are there à la carte pricing options? What do those include?
• As care needs increase, how does pricing increase?
• Are there regular increases to monthly fees? How often do those occur? Historically, what have the past 5 rate increases been?
• Are there any refunds if my loved one moves out halfway through the month?
• What happens if my loved one needs to go to the hospital or rehabilitation facility for days, weeks, or months? Are my fees suspended during that time away?
• Are there any specials you have running now for new move-ins?
• Do you accept Medicare? Medicaid? Veterans Aid & Attendance?
• What other ways could we offset our costs for living here?

Care & Health Services

Not all senior living communities offer the same type of care. Generally speaking, there are categories of senior living communities: independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. If you aren’t sure which one your loved one would need, consult with their physician to get a recommendation. Then, narrow down your search to ensure the communities you are looking at provide the type of support your loved one needs.

When searching for assisted living, ask these questions to understand how they customize support for residents:

• What are your caregiver-to-resident ratios? Do those ratios vary during different times of the day?
• What type of ongoing training and supervision do caregivers receive?
• Are all employees background checked?
• What are your fall prevention strategies?
• How do you communicate with my physician and other medical team members?
• Do I need to change to your pharmacy in order to receive medications here?
• Can I keep medications in my room, or do nurses manage medication schedules? Is there an additional fee for medication management services? How much is it?
• How many awake caregivers are on staff overnight? Nurses?
• What happens if I need/want more care and support in the future?
• Is there physical and occupational therapy on-site?
• Is there a memory care program?
• Are hospice caregivers welcomed into the building?

Lifestyle & Activities

Quality of life and social connections are important features of senior living communities. Even if your loved one isn’t necessarily a social butterfly, finding a residence with plenty of ways to connect with others who share similar interests is important.

• May I see a copy of your current activities calendar?
• Are activities and events offered in the evenings? On weekends?
• How do residents suggest activities for the calendar?
• What types of clubs or groups are offered throughout the month?
• What are examples of physical exercise/movement groups throughout the month?
• What if I don’t want to attend large group activities? Are there smaller groups offered? 
• Are there supplies available for independent activities?
• What types of outings are offered? How often? Is this at an additional cost?
• When can family members visit?
• Are family members welcome to attend activities?
• Are there special family/friend activities?
• What type of spiritual activities are offered? Do you have connections with places of worship around the greater community?

Dining Experience

Assisted living communities offer three meals per day, served in a social dining room setting. Learn more about the dining experience at potential communities during your tour.

• Can I see a copy of your current menu?
• Can I come back to dine in the dining room for a meal in the future?
• How many meals a day are served to residents? Is there an additional cost for meals?
• What time does the dining room open for service for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?
• What if I like to eat earlier or later than those times?
• Is room service available? Is there a cost for this service?
• Can you meet my dietary requirements and/or prescribed diet?
• Do you offer meals that are vegan/vegetarian/gluten free/etc.?
• Is there a cafe or bistro where I can grab a cup of coffee or a snack?

Environment & Safety

During your tour, pay attention to the cleanliness of the building and ask senior living questions that relate to accessibility and safety.

• What is the cleaning schedule for main areas of the community? For individual apartments?
• What is the protocol for disinfecting and cleaning during flu season?
• Are common spaces accessible for my walker/wheelchair/cane? Are available apartments accessible for my walker/wheelchair/cane?
• Are motorized scooters allowed in the community?
• How does the call light system work?
• What was the result from your latest state health inspection?

Living Spaces & Accommodations

Learn more about available apartments and living spaces so that you can ensure it meets your needs and preferences.

• What apartments are currently available?
• Is there availability for studio/1-bedroom/2-bedroom options?
• Is any furniture included?
• Is WiFi included? What other utilities are included in the base monthly fee?
• Is the community pet friendly? Can I bring my dog/cat/bird?
• Can I renovate my apartment? What are the guidelines?
• Can I paint? Use peel-and-stick wallpaper?
• Do I have control over the thermostat in my apartment?
• What are the shared spaces in the community? Are there any rules or guidelines for using these areas for private gatherings?

Staff Friendliness & Training

The best community is often the one with the most attentive, welcoming, and caring staff members. During your tour, spend time observing how staff members interact with residents, guests, and one another.

• What is your staff turnover rate? What is your staff promotion rate?
• Are team members trained before beginning their work here? What are some topics they learn about?
• How does your community recognize staff members who go above and beyond?
• What type of ongoing education do staff members receive? What are some topics they learn about?
• Are team members encouraged to interact with family members when they visit?

Policies & Long-Term Fit

Plan for the future by asking questions that will help eliminate any surprises in the years to come.

• What are your move-out policies?
• Do you offer more support and assistance for residents who need it? Is this at an additional cost?
• How will I be informed that I require more care? Will I get notice before my monthly fee increases?
• What is the protocol for transitioning to another level of care in another building/community? Who initiates that conversation? How much notice is needed?
• What happens if my money runs out?

Checklist for Touring an Assisted Living Community

After your initial visits to potential senior living residences, you can cross off a few from your list. If you still aren’t able to make a final decision yet, that’s okay. Schedule a follow-up visit to your final contenders to find some more clarity. You might even want to schedule a time to join in a meal or event at the residence to truly experience the lifestyle available there.

Download our Tour Checklist to ensure you don’t miss any details during your visits.

Ready to experience senior living at its best? Schedule a visit at any Legend Senior Living residence near you. We love to show off our unique residences and can give you a glimpse into what life is like here in addition to answering any questions you have.