Questions to Ask When Choosing an Assisted Living Community

When choosing an assisted living community for your loved one, it’s important to take the time to research and ask questions before committing to a community. 

To get started, try jotting down some thoughts or questions before any conversation or meeting. When choosing an assisted living community you should ask questions about:

• Staff and training
• Costs and fees 
• Resident life and engagement 
• Food and dietary needs 
• Living spaces 
• Medical and emergency care 
• Security and freedom 
• Visitation policies
• Future care planning

At Juniper Village at Chatham, we’re here to help support you and your family as your loved one makes the transition to senior living.

Staff & Training

• What’s the staff like?
• What kind of training do they have?

You’d want to hear that the staff are friendly, approachable, and professionally trained. They should be available 24/7 and have a good ratio of staff to residents. You’ll want to know how many staff members are present during the day and night.

Costs & Fees

• How much does it cost per month?
• What services are included in that cost?
• Are there any additional fees I should know about?

The cost should be transparent. There shouldn’t be any hidden fees, and the cost should fit within your budget. 

Ask for a breakdown of costs and fees and whether there are any upfront payments required. Make sure to also ask if there are additional fees for certain amenities.

Resident Life & Engagement

• Can you tell me about the residents?
• What kinds of programs are available for residents to participate in?

Regular social activities can promote mental and physical health. They should speak positively about the experiences of residents.

Assisted living communities offer a variety of amenities and activities to enhance the quality of life for residents. These activities cater to different interests and could include fitness classes, book clubs, art classes, outings, and more. 

• What is the community culture like?
• Do the residents look like they are engaged and having fun? 

It is important to get a feel for the community and its overall atmosphere. Meet with staff members and take a tour to see firsthand what the community is like. 

Food & Dietary Needs

• Can I see a menu?
• Do you accommodate dietary restrictions?
• When are meals available?
• Can my loved one take meals in their room if needed?

The food should be nutritious and tasty, with a variety of options to enhance the quality of life and overall health of residents. 

They should also be able to accommodate any dietary restrictions or preferences.

Living Spaces

• What amenities are included in living spaces?
• What safety features are available in living spaces?
• Can residents bring their own furnishings and decor? 

The living spaces should be clean, comfortable, and feel like home. They should be well-maintained and safe.

Medical & Emergency Care

• What’s your policy in case of a medical emergency?
• Is there a nurse or other medical professional on-site 24/7?

In case of an emergency, medical or otherwise, there should be a protocol in place. Ideally, there should be a nurse or doctor on-site or at least on call.

Security & Freedom

• Can residents come and go as they please?
• What security measures are in place?

Residents should have the freedom to move around and come and go, but there should also be security measures to ensure their safety.

Visitation Policies

• How often are family and friends allowed to visit?
• Are there any restrictions?

Family and friends should be encouraged to visit often, with flexible visiting hours. Family visitation helps to ward off feelings of depression and loneliness and can help improve overall health. As a result, there shouldn’t be too many restrictions.

Future Care Planning

• If more care is needed in the future, how is that handled?

If more care is needed in the future, they should be able to provide it or have a plan in place to transition to a higher level of care.

Assisted Living for Your Loved One

Get in touch with Juniper Village at Chatham to schedule a tour where we can answer your questions. We’re here to support you and your loved one. Schedule a tour of our community online to see Juniper in action.