Questions to Ask on an Assisted Living Tour (Printable List of 25)

The most important questions to ask on an assisted living tour cover the all-in cost and what triggers increases, staffing ratios day and night, how care needs are assessed, safety and emergency procedures, and what happens if your parent's needs change. Print the 25 questions below and take the same list to every community so you can compare fairly.

Before You Go

Tour at least three communities, and try to visit around a mealtime and once in the late afternoon. Take notes and photos (with permission). A dazzling lobby tells you little — how staff treat current residents tells you everything.

Costs and Contracts

1. What is the all-in monthly cost for my parent's specific care level — not just the base rent?
2. What is the one-time community or move-in fee, and is any part refundable?
3. How are care levels assessed, and what triggers a rate increase?
4. How often do rates go up, and by how much historically?
5. What's included in the base rate versus billed separately (medications, incontinence care, two-person transfers)?
6. Do you accept ALTCS if private funds run out, and do you work with VA benefits?

Staffing and Care

7. What is the caregiver-to-resident ratio during the day?
8. What is the ratio overnight?
9. What training do caregivers receive, and what's the staff turnover rate?
10. Is there a nurse on-site or on-call, and when?
11. How is medication management handled?
12. How do you handle a change in condition or a medical emergency?
13. Can my parent age in place here if their needs increase, or would they have to move?

Safety and Health

14. What emergency call systems are in the apartments and bathrooms?
15. How do you prevent and respond to falls?
16. What is your process during extreme heat or power outages (important in Arizona summers)?
17. How do you coordinate with outside doctors, therapists, and hospice if needed?

Daily Life

18. May I see a weekly activities calendar, and can residents help shape it?
19. Can I join residents for a meal, and are special diets accommodated?
20. What are the visiting hours and policies for family?
21. What transportation is provided for appointments and outings?
22. How do you help a new resident settle in and make friends?

The Community Itself

23. May I see an actual available apartment, not just the model?
24. What is your AZDHS licensing status and inspection history? (See our licensing guide.)
25. What is the move-out policy, and how much notice is required?

Bonus: Trust Your Senses

While you tour, notice things the answers won't tell you:

• Are current residents clean, engaged, and comfortable?
• Do staff greet residents warmly and by name?
• Is the community clean and free of persistent odors?
• Does the food actually look and smell good?
• Would you feel comfortable living here yourself?

After the Tour

Compare your notes across communities the same day, while impressions are fresh. Rank your top choices on cost, care, location, and gut feeling. For memory care specifically, add the questions in our memory care selection guide.

Let Us Narrow the List First

Touring is far less overwhelming when you're only visiting communities that already fit your parent's needs and budget. Our local advisors pre-screen East Valley communities and can even join you on tours — free to your family. Request information to get a curated short list.

Our Advisor's Take

The question that surprises every marketing director: 'What would cause you to ask a resident to leave?' The answer tells you exactly where this community's care stops — and whether your parent will face another move in two years.

— Lee Thompson, Owner & Senior Advisor, East Valley Senior Living

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the single most important question to ask on an assisted living tour?

Ask for the all-in monthly cost for your parent's specific care level — not just the base rent — and what triggers a rate increase. In the East Valley communities we work with, care fees typically add $500 to $1,500 per month over advertised rates, and one-time community fees usually run $1,500 to $3,000.

How many communities should we tour before deciding?

Tour at least three communities, ideally across two cities, and take the same question list to each so you can compare fairly. Try to visit around a mealtime and once in the late afternoon, when sundowning and staffing gaps are most visible.

How do I verify an Arizona community's license and inspection history?

Every Arizona assisted living facility is licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS), which lists each facility's license type, care level, and status, along with public inspection and complaint records. Review that history and ask the community directly about any past issues.

Sources & References

• Arizona Department of Health Services — Residential Facilities Licensing — Official licensing rules, facility lookup, and public inspection records for Arizona assisted living facilities.
• National Institute on Aging — Assisted living and residential care — Federal health-agency guidance on residential long-term care options.