Choose the Perfect Community with Your 7 Step Assisted Living Checklist

With a variety of assisted living options, deciding on the best community can take some time and consideration. When taking your choices into account, it’s important to compare communities to one another. But how do you know what to look for? Fortunately, we’ve made an assisted living checklist to let you know what you should be looking for when you visit each community.

Assisted Living Checklist

Observe Cleanliness, Curb Appeal, and Design Details

Since this community will be your new home, the devil is in the details. Fortunately, cleanliness, curb appeal, and design all indicate how well the property is maintained. Take note of your first impressions as you explore and observe the community. 

Courtyards and garden benches indicate a social tone to the area as these spaces are welcoming and encourage engagement. When you visit, pay attention to the following details:

• Safety features like grab bars and handrails
• Accessibility features like widened doors for moving beds, elevators, and wheelchair ramps
• Decor details like comfortable furniture, bright colors, and personalization
• Social spaces like lounges, dining rooms, and event halls
• Clean common spaces

Get to Know the Staff

Be sure to take note of the interactions between associates and residents. Do nurses treat residents with friendliness, compassion, and patience? Also, don’t forget to ask about staff accreditation, background checks, and training. A few things you might want to ask the staff are:

• What is the staff to resident ratio?
• Is there yearly training that the staff receives?
• What is the turnover rate?
• Are there registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, or certified nurses on staff?
• Can staff members administer medications?
• Can staff members assist with daily activities?
• Which organizations audit the community?

Inquire About Culture, Programming, and Amenities

An ideal fit looks different for everyone. Finding the perfect community that fits your hobbies and personality can be difficult, especially since it’s hard to tell before moving there. The most valuable element of a retirement community is the people who live there. Fortunately, there are a few questions you can ask to find out about the culture, programming, and amenities.

• What are the residents like?
• Are there on-campus activities?
• What kind of activities are available to residents?
• Is there provided entertainment?
• Do the residents interact with the surrounding community?
• What common spaces are available to residents?
• Are there outdoor spaces?
• Is there a community garden?
• Is there a media or TV room?

Grab Some Food

Since you are thinking of moving here, shouldn’t you try the food? Furthermore, ncorporating a trip to the cafeteria or other available dining options can really give you an idea of what eating on campus could be like. A few questions you might want to ask are:

• How many meals are provided a day?
• Does the menu change regularly?
• Is the food prepared daily?
• Are there set times for meals?
• Can meals be prepared for specific holidays, birthdays, or other special events?

Consider Comfort

Now this question can get pretty personal because what constitutes comfort varies among people. A social butterfly will be comfortable in vibrant group settings, while an introvert may appreciate a quiet spot to read. You may want to take some time and ask the residents some questions that will give you an idea of what kind of accommodations are available. Here are a few questions you can ask:

• What types of apartments are available and what do they cost?
• Do residents get an option of private or shared rooms?
• Are furnishings provided?
• Can residents personalize their living spaces?
• Are the apartments designed to accommodate wheelchairs?
• Is there a kitchen provided?
• Are pets allowed?
• Is each room equipped with a 24-hour emergency response system?
• Is home maintenance, like cleaning, included in the listed price?

Prepare for Cost Questions

For many, the cost of assisted living is a major factor in their decision-making process. Sometimes it’s helpful to determine if a community uses all-inclusive pricing, a la carte pricing, or tiered pricing based on levels of care. Also, be sure to ask about entrance fees and contract terms. Also, here are a few questions to ask:

• Is there a contract outlining health care and supportive services provided?
• Are fees and admission charges disclosed?
• What are the billing and payment policies?
• Which services does it include?
• Are there programs available to mitigate the costs of services?

Make Sure the Community Meets Your Short and Long-Term Needs

Selecting the right assisted living community means choosing one that can meet your needs at all times in life. Furthermore, this is the continuum of care and you want a community that offers it. Also, here are a few questions you can ask:

• Do you require and/or perform physical health assessments prior to admission?
• If so, does this process include the resident, the resident’s family, and the resident’s physician?
• Is there a medication management policy?
• Do they offer hospice and it included in the monthly fee?
• Is there a clear procedure for responding to emergencies?
• Is transportation available for doctors’ visits?

Finding the right community doesn’t have to be a headache. Just keep this assisted living checklist on hand when visiting and you will be well on your way to finding the right fit.

Are you wondering what your future has to offer in your golden years? Learn about aging on your terms with your FREE Moving to a Senior Living Community: Make Decisions Your Way.