Tours can feel warm and still leave you unsure. You solve that with consistent questions. The goal is not to collect information. The goal is to compare communities on the same factors every time.
Start with care. Ask what support looks like for bathing, dressing, toileting, and mobility. Ask how medication management works and who administers or monitors it. Ask how they respond when a resident declines help. Listen for specific steps, not general reassurance.
Then ask about staffing. Ask who is on site overnight. Ask how often staff turnover occurs and how new team members train. Ask who updates the care plan and how often they reassess. Ask what triggers a care level change. Ask how families receive updates and how quickly staff returns calls.
Move to safety and daily life. Ask to see the bathroom setup, call system, and any safety features in the apartment. Walk the path from the apartment to dining and activities. Watch how staff interacts with residents in common areas. Do they know names. Do they offer help without rushing.
Ask about the transition. What happens in week one. Who helps a new resident settle in. How do they learn preferences. How do they encourage participation without pressure. Ask what families often misunderstand before move in.
End with cost clarity. Ask for a sample invoice. Ask what the base includes and what services cost extra. Ask what a typical resident pays all in.
If you ask the same questions on every tour, you make a cleaner decision. If you want support, your advisor can build a short list and join the comparison conversation after tours.
