Choosing a Community
Checklist for Choosing the Right Senior Living Community
A comprehensive tour checklist covering the five things that matter most — and the red flags most families miss on their first visit.
What to Look For on a Tour
Most communities put their best foot forward during a scheduled tour. The sales director will show you the model room, the nicest common area, and the most engaging activity of the week. Your job is to look past the presentation and evaluate the real, day-to-day experience.
The questions and observations below are the same ones a Silver Linings advisor uses when evaluating a new community for our referral network. Use this list on every tour.
The Physical Environment
- Is the building clean, well-maintained, and odor-free?
- Are hallways wide enough for walkers and wheelchairs?
- Is the outdoor space accessible and safe?
- Are apartments/rooms a comfortable size with adequate storage?
- Is there good natural light in common areas and resident rooms?
- Are emergency pull cords or call systems in every room and bathroom?
- Is the dining room inviting and accessible?
Staff & Care Quality
- What is the staff-to-resident ratio during the day? At night?
- Is there 24/7 awake staff on-site?
- What is the average staff tenure? High turnover is a warning sign.
- Do staff greet residents by name and make eye contact?
- How are care plans created and updated?
- What is the training requirement for caregivers?
- Ask to speak with a line caregiver — not just the sales director.
Culture & Community Fit
- Do the current residents appear engaged, happy, and alert?
- What is the activity calendar like — and does it match your loved one's interests?
- Is there a resident council or family advisory committee?
- What is the process for handling resident complaints?
- Is the community culture social or more independent?
- Are there outdoor excursions and transportation options?
- How does the community handle religious or cultural preferences?
Safety & Health
- What is the community's fall prevention protocol?
- How are medication errors handled and tracked?
- What is the infection control policy (especially respiratory illness)?
- How does the community handle a medical emergency?
- Is there a nurse on-site or on-call 24/7?
- What is the process for transitioning to a higher level of care?
- Review the last two state inspection reports before your visit.
Financial Transparency
- What is included in the base monthly rate?
- What triggers a care level increase — and what does it cost?
- What is the community's historical annual rate increase (ask for 3 years)?
- Is there a community fee? Is it refundable?
- Does the community accept Medicaid? Under what conditions?
- What is the 30-day move-out notice policy?
- Request a full list of all potential add-on charges.
7 Red Flags to Watch For on Any Tour
Staff avoid eye contact with residents or seem rushed
Common areas smell of urine or have visible uncleanliness
The sales director cannot answer basic questions about care ratios
Multiple recent deficiencies on state inspection reports
No resident activity visible during your daytime visit
High-pressure sales tactics or urgency to sign a contract
Unable to provide references from current resident families
Visit More Than Once — Unannounced
The most important visit is the one they don't know about. Drop in on a Tuesday at 3pm or Saturday morning. Walk the memory care wing. Eat lunch in the dining room. The real culture of a community shows when no one is performing for you.
Let Us Do the Vetting For You
Our advisors have already toured the communities in our network and know which ones pass this checklist. We narrow the field to 3 vetted matches — at zero cost.