What Questions Should I Ask on a Senior Living Tour for My Parents?

Dear Donna:

I’m preparing to call local senior living communities next week to begin the process of finding a place for my mom and dad. After the rough winter we just experienced, it’s become obvious that they just aren’t safe on their own. While I’m back and forth often, I live an hour away and winter can make getting to them very difficult sometimes.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been visiting websites for the senior living communities close to them and those close to me. I think I have a fairly good idea of which ones I’d like to visit in person. I’m just not sure what questions to ask. Some are obvious, such as pricing and availability. I’m hoping you can suggest other questions for me to ask to ensure we make a good decision.

Sincerely,

Jamie in Suttons Bay, MI

Asking the Right Questions on a Senior Living Tour

Dear Jamie:

When it’s time for a parent or other loved one to transition to senior living, families may find the search process overwhelming and confusing. But feeling confident in your decision is important. I usually begin by encouraging families to reach out to friends and colleagues who have been through the process with a senior loved one and are familiar with the local communities. The insight they can offer will be invaluable.

Next, you are right in thinking the questions you ask are essential. Here is what I typically recommend older adults and their families get answers to as they meet with staff:

• How does the community screen, hire, and train caregivers?

I start with this one because it is so important. The experience, compassion, and commitment of the team members at a community directly impact the quality of care residents receive. Not everyone is comfortable working with older adults or people who have disabilities. As you tour communities, make sure to ask how they evaluate candidates for empathy and compassion. That’s much more difficult than checking references and confirming experience.

Also find out about the actual hiring process, especially how background checks are completed. You want to know that the caregivers responsible for providing assistance to your parents are trustworthy. Finally, ask questions to see how new team members are trained and how they continue to update their skills.

• How many residents is each caregiver responsible for?

Another important consideration is how many residents each caregiver is responsible for on a typical day. When the number is too high, resident care can suffer.

Ask how many clinical team members and aides are on duty, and make sure that the number doesn’t include management staff who don’t deliver hands-on care.

Another reason lower caregiver-to-resident ratios are important is that it allows for greater continuity of care. Caregivers have time to get to know residents better. This makes it easier to detect small changes in their well-being and intervene before they become serious.

• What is the community’s turnover rate among team members?

While working with seniors can be a rewarding career path, caregiving jobs are usually physically and emotionally demanding. As a result, turnover is higher in the senior living industry than in other professions. The best communities, however, find ways to overcome this and reward staff for their commitment. So, be sure to inquire about the turnover rate at each community you visit.

• What is and isn’t included in monthly fees?

As you visit different senior living communities, you’ll soon discover each one has its own pricing structure. Some bundle care and services into one monthly fee, while others have different level of care charges based on how many activities of daily living a resident requires assistance with. That’s why it’s important to understand what is included in the monthly fee.

Equally important is knowing what additional fees you are likely to incur in an average month, such as for laundry or transportation. When you understand what is and isn’t included, you can more evenly compare one community with another.

Visit a Heritage Community Near You

I hope this information helps you feel more confident in your decision-making, Jamie. I’d like to invite you to visit any of our Heritage locations as you search for a community that is a good fit for your parents. Call us today to schedule a time!

Kind regards,

Donna