Published: February 27, 2025
If you have been hunting for an independent living home, your head is likely swirling with questions, facts, and figures. Some researchers even find different communities lump together after youâve seen enough of them.
This cognitive overload can really harm the fact-finding process. It hampers our ability to differentiate the things that we are trying to differentiate and evaluate.
But fear not. Rather than touring a senior living home and judging it just purely based on a feeling, you need to get specific.
The communityâs atmosphere is important, to be sure. But there are facts that can help differentiate one senior living community from another. And if youâre hunting for the perfect community for you, these details are worth their weight in gold.
Before you roll up to your next independent living community tour, note these key questions to ask as you tour the grounds. We promise, with the answers in tow, youâll be able to more easily judge a community. And more importantly, youâll be able to decide if it rises above the rest of what youâve seen.
What is Independent Living?
âIndependent livingâ is a fairly broad term in the senior community space. Some communities posit âindependent livingâ simply as detached domiciles where seniors are truly left to live their lives independently. Others denote the term as a means of differentiating it from the managed levels of care they might provide.
Now that you know how to define it, hereâs our independent living checklist for seniors while touring.
Key Questions to Ask When Touring Independent Living Communities
What Services Does the Independent Living Home Provide?
Every independent living community you tour should offer the basics of food, shelter, and available care. Get specific on your tour. Ask your tour-giver to outline all of the different services made available to residents.
Itâs also a smart idea to consider if any services are premium or add-on style. If all services are made available to all residents at all times, consider that a huge plus!
What Special Amenities, Features, and Benefits Are Available to Residents?
Special amenities help differentiate one set of independent living homes for seniors from another. This could include:
- Gourmet dining
- Entertainment spaces
- Tours and outings
- And more
And youâll quickly find no two lists of benefits and features look alike when you compare them.
Express the things you love to do to your tour guide. Note your hobbies, interests, and even pastimes youâve been considering. Together, you can discover the many ways your prospective community can serve you and your wellness.
Are There Any Community Policies or Restrictions to Be Aware Of?
Every community will be different when it comes to how they operate the flow of everyday life. Visitor access, pet policies, and more are all great jumping-off points.
This is also an opportunity to ask about payment schedules, VA benefits, and other niche topics. The availability of these features may affect a communityâs desirability in your eyes.
How Many Caregivers are On-Site?
The staff-to-resident ratio is an immediately telling metric that every tour guide should have on-hand. Fewer residents to staff means more attentive, more available, and more immediate care. Isnât your access to care the reason youâre considering senior living options in the first place?
Are There Distinct Levels of Care (and Can Residents Change Their Level as Needed)?
Not every community allows residents to change their care level on a dime. However, some do. When touring a community, itâs a great idea to see the other care accommodations that may be available.
Choose the Right Independent Living Home
With those five questions, weâre confident you can ensure your tour is as eye-opening as it is pleasant. As with all senior living options, the goal is to ensure youâre comfortable in your new lifestyle. So, really put your tour guide through the wringer and fire your questions off, one by one!
Touring independent living homes? Ask these 5 essential questions to find the perfect place!