Senior Housing Checklist
The Property
Are the grounds attractive? Is the building well-kept? Are the common areas inviting?
Is it handicap accessible? Are hallways and doors wide enough for walkers and wheelchairs?
Are handrails in the hallways? Are there elevators as well as stairs?
Is it well-lit?
Does it have a pleasant smell?
Do you like its layout?
Is it easy to find your way around?
How close are amenities like the dining room and recreational areas to living quarters?
Is security on the grounds 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
How far is it from where loved ones live?
The Staff
Are staff present throughout the property?
Are the front-desk staff friendly on the phone and in person?
Is every staff member at every post – front desk, maintenance, housekeeping, healthcare, dining room – appropriately dressed, pleasant and attentive?
Are your phone calls and emails responded to promptly?
Is it easy to reach someone by phone and to leave a message?
Do staff members know residents and address them appropriately?
The Residents
Are the common areas active?
Do residents look well and happy and are they socializing?
When you ask them, what do residents have to say about life in their community and their satisfaction with food, healthcare and other services?
Does the property have a newsletter or monthly calendar of events in print and/or by email or online? If so, check out several months’ worth to see if the frequency of and types of activities offered are appealing to you.
The Food
What dining options are available? Is there more than one dining room? Are complimentary coffee, tea, water and other beverages available throughout the day? Can you carry out meals to go or have them delivered, and if so, is there an extra charge?
What meals does the dining room serve and how many are included in the monthly fee?
Is the dining room full at dinner?
What foods are available every day? Get sample monthly menus to review.
Are meals for people with special dietary requirements available?
Does the food taste good? Is it presented with pride? Are portions to your liking? Dine in the dining room at least once.
Is there a private dining room if you wish to host a special event?
Are special meals offered on holidays?
Services and Amenities
What services are available? Laundry? Housekeeping? Transportation to and from shopping, medical and other appointments and special events? Wi-Fi?
If transportation is available, how often does it run, how far will they take you and is there an extra charge?
Are there on-site recreational facilities for exercise, games and other activities?
What activities are available daily? What special events are offered? Check several months of events calendars.
Is there an on-site hair salon or barber?
Is there newspaper delivery, telephone, TV, cable and Internet availability?
Are there accommodations for overnight guests?
Is there assistance with Zoom, WhatsApp, Skype or other video messaging platforms so relatives and friends can visit virtually?
Are any religious services offered?
Costs and Contracts
What exactly is included in the monthly fee?
Which utilities and services are extra?
When can fees be raised and by how much?
What happens if your funds run out?
Do you need renters insurance?
What can result in termination of your lease or contract? Read your lease or contract and make sure you understand everything in it. If you don’t, consult an attorney. If buying into a continuing care retirement community, or CCRC, or life plan community, be sure to receive a contract and financial disclosure.
What are your rights as a resident? Is there a resident council? What is the grievance procedure?
Your Living Space:
In Independent Living
What floor plans are available?
Are pull cords throughout the residence in case of accident or emergency? Is 24-hour emergency response available?
Can you control your own heat and air conditioning?
Is the bathroom walker and wheelchair accessible?
Can you open your windows?
Can you have a washer and dryer in the apartment and/or is there a common laundry room or on-site laundry service?
Who has access to your apartment or home and under what conditions?
If the campus has assisted living and skilled nursing, how does the transition to a different living arrangement work?
Can you stay in an apartment overnight or longer to see how you like it?
Are pets allowed? If so, are there restrictions? Is there a place to walk dogs? Is a dog walker available?
In Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing
Can you lock your windows and doors? Who else has access to your room and under what conditions?
Can couples live together in assisted living and skilled nursing rooms?
Are rooms private or doubles? If doubles, can you request a private room and if so, what is the charge?
Are pets allowed? If so, what are the restrictions?
Healthcare Services
For Independent Living
Is medical staff on-site? If so, what are their hours?
What healthcare services – such as medication management, care during illness and physical therapy – are offered onsite? What is the cost?
Can you hire home care or home health care if needed and remain in independent living?
At what point does a resident need to move from independent living to assisted living and who makes that decision? What are your rights should you disagree?
For Assisted Living
Is it a licensed assisted living facility or multi-unit assisted housing with services?
What healthcare and daily-living support services are available?
Are services all-inclusive or offered as levels of care?
What is the staff-to-resident ratio and staff turnover rate?
At what point of care does a resident need to move from assisted living to skilled nursing and who makes that decision? What are your rights should you disagree?
Is there a dementia care unit? If so, how is staff trained and what special services are offered?
What are the daily scheduled activities?
For Skilled Care
Is the facility licensed by the state? Does it have any violations?
Can you choose your own doctor?
What healthcare and daily-living support services are included in the fee? What is extra?
What is the staff-to-resident ratio and staff turnover rate?