Knowledge is power when it comes to finding the right independent living, assisted living or dementia care facility for your loved one. Especially in Los Angeles where the options  – and misinformation – are plentiful. When you’re ready to take the step and begin touring communities it’s important to be prepared: prepared with both general and specific questions, prepared to advocate for your families needs, and prepared with a list of the factors that are important to your loved one.

The easiest and best way to prepare is to work with a local senior living advisor like Assisted Living Locators Los Angeles who provides free expert guidance throughout the entire process. They help navigate everything. First off from helping you figure out exactly what type of facility is best suited to your loved one, to budgeting, touring, paperwork and move-in. But, you should always be educated and equip yourself to ensure you and your advisor are working in lockstep as a team, especially if your loved one has additional health concerns like memory care, Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s.

Assisted Living Locators Los Angeles has put together a helpful guide of questions to ask when you’re touring communities to make sure you leave each tour with a consistent set of information, and a wide breadth of knowledge, ensuring you can make an informed and intelligent decision for your family with our help.

We divided our guide into 7 sections of questions to help you on your tours:

  • Property Location & Amenities – Senior living is all about providing amenities that make life easier and more comfortable for older adults. You want to find out what the community offers that differentiates it from other options and determine if it is a good fit for you or your loved one’s lifestyle needs.

  • Staff Community & Management – The quality of a senior living community depends on having a staff that is dedicated to the comfort and safety of their residents. The more care needed, the greater the importance of having a professional staff who are trained to address the unique physical, mental, and emotional needs of older adults.

  • Personal Residences – Different seniors have different housing requirements. Some will want an extra bedroom for when grandkids come to visit; others might prefer the easy upkeep of a studio apartment. You will want to find a senior living community that meets your space requirements, where you can feel comfortable and at home.

  • Dining Options – Food plays an essential role in our health and well-being, so you will want to make sure that you or your loved one will enjoy the food options available in a particular senior living community.

  • Resident Life – Another reason why many older adults decide to transition to senior living is to be among their peers, enjoy a sense of community, and live in a place that offers numerous opportunities to socialize, take classes, explore new hobbies, go on group outings, etc.

  • Contracts & Finances – You will want to understand where the money goes within the community and how it provides for the care and comfort of you or your loved one. Make sure that you carefully review a copy of the residency agreement form. It should fully disclose all personal care services, move-in and move-out policies, and fees. Having a firm understanding of what is expected from each party will help you maintain a good relationship with the community.

  • Community Reviews – Looking at community reviews, inspection reports, and speaking with current residents is a great way to prepare for a facility tour. This information can provide you with many great insights into what it is like living in the community and alert you to potential concerns that you might need to address when speaking with staff.

Download the full guide to see all 50+ essential questions.

You don’t have to navigate this complicated process alone. We’re here to help. Call us today at 310-853-8282 to begin your free, custom evaluation and begin touring Los Angeles area communities today.

About Assisted Living Locators

Since 2003, thousands of families have been helped by Assisted Living Locators, one of the nation’s leading free senior living placement services. The Los Angeles office is operated by Sarah Ordover, owner of Assisted Living Locators Los Angeles. Her team services clients from Glendale and Burbank to Santa Monica, including West Hollywood, Century City, Westwood, and everything in between. The office also represents clients looking for senior living south of Ventura Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley in neighborhoods such as Sherman Oaks, Encino, and Studio City. The Los Angeles office can be reached at assistedlivinglocators.com/contact-us.