7 Tips for Touring a Senior Living Community
January 30, 2026
Choosing a senior living community is a big decision. Whether you’re exploring options for yourself or a loved one, nothing can replace seeing a community for yourself by taking a tour. But with so many details to observe and questions to ask, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or miss important red flags.
Here are seven practical tips to help you make the most of your tours and find a community where you or your loved one will thrive.
1. Schedule your tour strategically
Try to visit during mealtimes or when activities are in full swing—typically mid-morning or early afternoon. This gives you a genuine sense of daily life, not just an empty hallway tour.
If possible, schedule tours at different times of day or even different days of the week. A community might feel vibrant on Tuesday afternoon but quiet on Saturday morning. You want to understand the rhythm of life there, not just see it at its most polished moment.
Don’t announce your visit too far in advance. While scheduled tours are standard, some families also do a “drop-in” visit later to see if the experience matches. If a community discourages unannounced visits during reasonable hours, that’s a red flag.
Some families may want to take a peek at a community’s monthly activities calendar—many are posted and regularly updated online—to find an activity to drop in on.
“I talk about our life enrichment program—joyful and vibrant is our mission,” said Alex Sims, Community Relations Director at Fieldstone Village at Keizer Ridge. “Our activity directors work hard, and our residents tend to be very active and engaged,” Sims said. “There are a ton of activities here that keep us busy.”
2. Use all your senses
One of the first things you’ll notice is how a community smells. Does it smell clean and fresh? While occasional smells are normal (people live there, after all), pervasive unpleasant odors can mean inadequate staffing or housekeeping.
Listen carefully. Do you hear conversation, laughter, and activity? Silence can mean residents are isolated in their rooms rather than engaging with each other.
Look at the lighting and atmosphere. Natural light, comfortable furniture, and personal touches in common areas suggest a community that values quality of life, not just efficiency.
3. Watch staff interactions
Watch how staff members interact with residents. Do they make eye contact, call people by name, and engage warmly?
Notice the staff-to-resident ratio, especially during meals and peak times. Ask your tour guide directly about typical staffing levels for different shifts.
“Staff interactions is a big one,” said Sims. “If you walk in and the staff doesn’t seem warm and welcoming, that’s a concern. The staff and cleanliness would be my top issues. You can tell when a person really cares about what they’re doing or if it’s just a job.”
4. Ask to see a real room
Tour guides may show you a beautifully staged model apartment. That’s fine, but ask to see the actual room or apartment type you’d be moving into. Ask to see rooms in different areas of the building—quality can vary significantly between wings or floors.
When you’re in the room, check the basics: Is there enough storage? How’s the lighting? Is the bathroom safe and accessible? Can you bring your own furniture, personal items, or pets?
Also tour areas residents use every day: dining rooms, activity spaces, outdoor areas, and therapy rooms, if applicable. These matter just as much as the private living space.
“One of my favorite things to recommend is for people to talk to other residents in the community,” Sims said. “If you see family members, ask them what they feel about their loved one’s stay. See how everyone in the building feels about living there. We do have resident ambassadors who love helping people out and telling them about their experience. It can seem like a sales pitch coming from us, but just approaching a resident and asking them about their experience can give you real insight.”
5. Ask hard questions
How long is the average stay at your facility?
What is your staff tenure like?
What is your biggest challenge in this facility?
When was your last CMS survey and did it report any deficiencies?
How are your fees structured and what would incur additional costs?
How often do you hold care conferences?
“I’d ask a lot of questions about response times,” she advised. “Look at the state survey. I’d want to interact with more than just the salesperson—talk to the nurse, the activities director, the chef. Those interactions are important to find out if that’s a good fit for you. Another thing: Ask what sets this community apart in this area. They will all offer different things, and that can give you some good insight. The questions that put me on the spot—I like when people come prepared with a list of questions.”
6. Evaluate the dining experience
Stay for a meal. Look at more than just taste. Are there menu choices, or is it one-size-fits-all? Can the kitchen accommodate dietary restrictions, cultural preferences, or simply personal dislikes?
Watch the dining experience itself. Is it rushed, or do residents have time to eat comfortably? Can people eat when they’re hungry, or are mealtimes rigid? Ask to see a week’s worth of menus to see if there’s genuine variety.
7. Trust your gut
Your intuition is valuable. Sometimes a place checks all the boxes on paper but just doesn’t feel right—and that matters.
Bring someone with you if possible. If you’re touring for a parent, try to include them in at least one visit so they can share their feelings about the environment.
Take photos (with permission) and notes. Documentation helps you remember specific details and compare options fairly.
And if you aren’t able to tour in-person, inquire about options for a virtual tour.
“A virtual tour is a FaceTime or Zoom video meeting where I’m showing them exactly what they want to see, and that way I can answer questions” Sims explained. “For some people the shower is super important. You can still get that in-person feel and can see how people are using the space.”
Touring senior living communities can feel daunting, but going in prepared helps you see past the marketing and understand what daily life is really like. Remember, you’re not just choosing a building—you’re choosing a home and a community. Take your time, ask hard questions, trust your instincts, and don’t settle until you find a place that feels right.