Assisted Living Environment

• As you arrive at the community, do you like its location and outward appearance?

• As you enter the lobby and tour the community, is the décor attractive and homelike?

• Do you receive a warm greeting from staff welcoming you to the community?

• Does the executive director call residents by name and interact warmly with them as you tour the community?

• Do residents socialize with each other and appear happy and comfortable?

• Are you able to talk with residents about how they like the community and staff?

• Do the residents seem to be appropriate housemates for you or your loved one?

• Are staff members appropriately dressed, personable, and outgoing?

• Do the staff members treat each other in a professional manner?

• Are the staff members that you pass during your tour friendly to you?

• Are visits with the resident welcome at any time?

Physical Features of the Assisted Living Community

• Is the community well-designed for your needs?

• Is the floor plan easy to follow?

• Are doorways, hallways, and rooms accommodating to wheelchairs and walkers?

• Are elevators available for those unable to use stairways?

• Are handrails available to aid in walking?

• Are cupboards and shelves easy to reach?

• Are floors of a non-skid material and carpets firm to ease walking?

• Does the community have good natural and artificial lighting?

• Is the community clean, free of odors, and appropriately heated/cooled?

• Does the community have sprinklers, smoke detectors, and clearly marked exits?

• Does the community have a means of security if a resident wanders?

Needs Assessments, Residency Agreements, Assisted Living Costs & Finances

• Is a residency agreement available that discloses personal care and supportive services, all fees, as well as move-in and move-out provisions? What are the policies for refunds and transfers?

• Is there a written plan of care for each resident? How frequently is it reviewed and updated?

• Does the community have a process for assessing a resident’s need for services, and are those needs addressed periodically?

• Does this periodic assessment process include the resident, his or her family, and community staff, along with the resident’s physician?

• Are there any government, private, or corporate programs available to help cover the cost of services to the resident?

• Are additional services available if the resident’s needs change?

• Are there different costs for various levels or categories of personal care?

• Do billing, payment, and credit policies seem fair and reasonable?

• Are residents required to purchase renters’ insurance for personal property in their units?

• Is there an appeals process for dissatisfied residents?

Medication & Health Care

• Does the community have specific policies regarding storage of medication, assistance with medications, training and supervision of staff, and record keeping?

• Is self-administration of medication allowed?

• Is there a staff person to coordinate home healthcare visits from a nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, etc., if needed?

• Does the community have a clearly stated procedure for responding to a resident’s medical emergency?

• To what extent are ancillary services available, and how are these services provided?  Ask if there is an additional charge for any of these services.

Assisted Living Community Services & Amenities

• Can the community provide a list of personal care services available?

• Is staff available to provide 24-hour assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) if needed? ADLs include dressing, eating, mobility, hygiene and grooming, bathing, and toileting.

• Does the community provide housekeeping services in personal living spaces?

• Can residents arrange for transportation on fairly short notice?

• Are barber/beautician services offered on-site?

• Does the community provide scheduled transportation to doctors’ offices, the hairdresser, shopping, and other activities desired by residents?

Individual Assisted Living Apartment Features

• Are different sizes and types of apartments available?

• Are apartments for single and double occupancy available?

• Do residents have their own lockable doors?

• Is a 24-hour emergency response system accessible from the apartment?

• Are bathrooms private and designed to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers?

• Are residents able to bring their own furnishings for their apartment? What may they bring? What is provided?

• Do all apartments have a telephone, cable or satellite TV, and internet access? How is billing handled?

• Is a kitchen area provided with a refrigerator, sink, and cooking element?

• May residents keep food in their apartments?

• May residents smoke in their apartments?  In public spaces?

• May residents decorate their own apartments?

Social & Recreational Activities

• Is there evidence of organized activities, such as a posted daily schedule, events in progress, reading materials, visitors, etc.?

• Do residents participate in activities outside of the community in the neighboring community?

• Does the community have its own pets?

• Are residents’ pets allowed in the community? Who is responsible for their care?

• Do volunteers, including family members, come into the community to help with or to conduct programs?

• Does the community create a sense of inclusion by encouraging residents to participate in activities?

Assisted Living Food Service

• Do dining room menus vary from day to day and meal to meal?

• Does the community provide three nutritionally balanced meals a day, seven days a week?

• Are snacks available?

• May a resident request special foods, and can the community accommodate special dietary needs?

• Are common dining areas available?

• May residents eat meals in their apartment or suite?

• May meals be provided at a time a resident would like, or are there set times for meals?

Additional Questions on Assisted Living

• Does the community conduct criminal background checks on employees?

• Does the community train staff on elder abuse and neglect?  Is there a policy for reporting suspected abuse?

• Does the community have a special wing or floor for residents with cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s disease?  If so, is it secured?

• Does the community allow hospice to come in and care for residents?

• Does the community accept long-term care insurance?

• Does the community allow a loved one, such as a grandchild, to spend the night? Is there a charge?

• Does the community participate in the Veterans’ Administration Aide and Attendance Program? Will the community help complete the paperwork?

• Does the community accept Medicaid?

• What are the most common reasons why a resident may be asked to move out of the community?

Assisted Living Food Service

• Do dining room menus vary from day to day and meal to meal?

• Does the community provide three nutritionally balanced meals a day, seven days a week?

• Are snacks available?

• May a resident request special foods, and can the community accommodate special dietary needs?

• Are common dining areas available?

• May residents eat meals in their apartment or suite?

• May meals be provided at a time a resident would like, or are there set times for meals?