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Use this list of questions to help you evaluate a potential senior residence, such as a nursing home, or an active adult, independent living, assisted living, or continuing care retirement community.

Environment:

• Is the residence located in a safe neighborhood?
• Is the residence close to your family and friends?
• Are there shopping centers or other businesses within walking distance?
• Do you like the appearance of the residence? Are the grounds well maintained? Is the interior of the residence cheerful and homelike?
• Is the residence clean and odor-free?
• How many people live in the residence?
• Is the floor plan easy to follow?
• Are there common areas with enough space for residents to spend time together?
• Are outdoor areas available to residents?
• Can residents come and go freely? Are visitors allowed to come and go freely? Tip: To get a good feel for the residence, try to visit it more than once (unannounced, if possible).

Residents:

• Do the residents seem happy and content?
• Are they friendly?
• Are they interacting with each other and/or you?
• Are there social groups or other organized activities for residents? Tip: If you are permitted, take time to talk to some of the current residents about how they like the community.

Staff:

• What is the staff-to-resident ratio?
• Do the staff members seem rushed, stressed out, or overworked?
• How do staff members interact with the residents? Do they know residents’ names? Are the interactions friendly or tense?
• Do staff members treat each other professionally?
• What training, continuing education, or licensing do staff members receive?
• How are residents’ concerns handled?

Safety:

• Are stairs and hallways well lit?
• Can residents with walkers or wheelchairs get around easily?
• Are the floors non-skid?
• Do rooms and bathrooms have emergency call buttons? Do they have handrails?
• Are there sprinklers and smoke detectors?
• Are exits clearly marked?
• Are there safety locks on the doors and windows? Tip: Use the Better Business Bureau to research the residence (private companies). Have there been any complaints? Is the facility licensed? Are financial and inspection records available?

Amenities:

• Are there different types or sizes of units?
• Do any of the units have a kitchen?
• Can residents keep food in the units?
• Are the units private?
• Are the bathrooms private? Will they accommodate a wheelchair or walker?
• Do all units have a telephone? Cable TV? Internet access?
• What is provided in each unit? Can residents bring their own furniture and decorate their units?
• Are the units smoke-free?
• Is there a meal plan?
• Is there a common dining area? Is it clean?
• Are meals served every day? All day or at set times?
• Does the menu vary and offer appealing, nutritious foods?
• Are snacks available?
• Can the meal service accommodate special food needs?
• Is there a laundry service?
• Is there a transportation service?
• Can a resident arrange for transportation on short notice?
• Is there a worship service?
• Are residents allowed to have their own pets? Does the residence have community pets?
• Does the residence offer special services, such as a salon or bank?

Services and Medical Care:

• What personal care services are available (for example, assistance with eating, bathing, dressing)?
• Are staff members available 24 hours a day? Is a healthcare provider available 24 hours a day?
• Are there healthcare providers, nurse practitioners, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists, or other health professionals who come to the facility to evaluate and treat residents?
• Does the residence regularly assess residents’ care needs?
• Does the assessment include input from the resident, family members, staff, and healthcare providers?
• What happens if a resident’s care needs change?
• Do residents have written care plans? If so, who develops the plans? How often are they reviewed and updated?
• Does the residence have special care units, such as a unit to care for people who have dementia?
• What are the medicine policies? Are residents allowed to take medicine on their own?
• What happens when a resident develops a medical condition?
• What is the procedure for responding to medical emergencies?

Contracts and Finances:

• Did the residence provide you with a contract that details all fees and services, as well as admission and discharge policies? Is it easy to read and understand?
• What rights do residents have?
• What happens if a resident has to leave the residence?
• Why would a resident be asked to leave? How much notice would the resident receive?
• If the resident is in the hospital, is his or her unit reserved?
• Who makes a transfer or discharge decision?
• How much is the entrance fee?
• How much is the monthly rent?
• What is included in the rent? Are utilities and telephone included?
• What is the security deposit?
• Is the deposit refundable?
• How does the residence bill for services?
• Does the residence accept long-term care insurance?
• Are there any programs to help cover the costs of services?