Touring Senior Living Communities

Touring senior living communities is one of the most important steps in finding the right fit for your loved one. A well-planned visit helps you see beyond the marketing materials and understand what daily life is really like. This guide walks you through the entire touring process—from preparation to follow-up.

Before Your First Tour

Define What You're Looking For

Before scheduling tours, clarify your priorities:

Care level needed: Assisted living, memory care, independent living, or skilled nursing?
Budget range: What can you afford monthly? (See our paying for senior living guide)
Location preferences: Near family? Specific Douglas County city?
Must-have amenities: Private bathroom? Pet-friendly? Specific activities?
Deal-breakers: What would eliminate a community from consideration?

Research Communities Online First

Before touring, research communities online to create a shortlist. Look at their website, read reviews, check state inspection reports, and verify they accept your payment method (private pay, long-term care insurance, VA benefits, Medicaid).

Pre-Tour Research Checklist

□ Review community website and photos
□ Check Google reviews and ratings
□ Look up Colorado CDPHE inspection reports
□ Verify care levels offered match your needs
□ Confirm they accept your payment method
□ Check location/distance from family

During Your Tour

What to Observe

While the admissions coordinator will guide your tour, pay attention to things they don't point out. Your observations often reveal more than the prepared presentation.

Observation Checklist

Staff & Residents

□ Staff greets residents by name
□ Caregivers speak respectfully and patiently
□ Residents appear well-groomed and dressed
□ Residents seem engaged and happy
□ Staff doesn't appear rushed or stressed

Environment

□ Facility is clean and well-maintained
□ No unpleasant odors
□ Good natural lighting
□ Comfortable temperature
□ Safety features visible (grab bars, handrails)

Questions to Ask

Come prepared with questions. A quality community will welcome your questions and answer them directly. For a comprehensive list, see our Tour Checklist with 50+ Questions.

Essential questions:

What is the caregiver-to-resident ratio on each shift?
What is your staff turnover rate?
How do you create and update individual care plans?
What is the base monthly cost and what does it include?
What additional fees might apply?
Can residents keep their own doctors?
What happens if care needs increase beyond what you provide?
What is your move-out notice requirement?

Try the Food

If possible, stay for a meal. Food quality and the dining experience are huge factors in daily happiness. Observe how meals are served, whether residents seem to enjoy the food, and if dietary needs are accommodated.

Talk to Residents and Families

Ask to speak with current residents or their family members. Quality communities will facilitate this. Ask about their experience, what they like, what they'd change, and whether they'd recommend the community.

Red Flags to Watch For

Be wary if you notice any of these warning signs:

Resistance to questions: Staff is defensive, vague, or won't answer directly
Pressure to decide: Pushing you to sign today or using high-pressure sales tactics
Unpleasant odors: Strong urine smell, or overwhelming air freshener covering odors
Residents in distress: Crying, calling out, slumped over, or appearing neglected
Staff ignoring residents: Caregivers socializing with each other instead of engaging
Restricted access: Not showing certain areas or limiting when you can visit
Hidden fees: Costs not clearly explained or vague contract terms
High leadership turnover: New director every year, frequent staff changes

After Your Tour

Take Notes Immediately

Right after each tour, while impressions are fresh:

Write down your overall impression and gut feeling
Note specific things you liked and disliked
Record answers to your questions
Take photos of rooms, common areas, menus (if allowed)
Rate the community on a scale to help compare later

Make a Second Visit

Before making a final decision, visit your top 1-2 choices again. Visit at a different time of day, or drop by unannounced. Bring your parent to the finalists so they can experience the community and have input on the decision.

Check References

Ask the community for family references you can contact. Also research online reviews, check with the Better Business Bureau, and review state inspection reports from Colorado CDPHE.