Facility questions checklist
Use this as a worksheet for tours and calls with assisted living, memory care, or nursing facilities.
You don’t have to ask every question — pick the ones that matter most in your situation.
Basics
- What level of care is your facility licensed to provide?
- What happens if care needs increase (for example, more help with transfers or dementia progression)?
- Is there a waitlist, and how does it work?
Staffing and care
- What is your typical staff-to-resident ratio during days, evenings, and nights?
- How do you handle falls, sudden confusion, or medical changes?
- Who coordinates with outside providers (primary care, specialists, home health, hospice)?
Routines and daily life
- What does a typical day look like here?
- How are meals, activities, and quiet time handled?
- How do you accommodate personal preferences (wake times, bathing, religious practices, etc.)?
Costs and contracts
- What is included in the base rate? What is billed as an add-on?
- How often do rates increase, and how much notice do families receive?
- Are there community fees, assessment fees, or other one-time charges?
Red flags and follow-up
Make notes on:
- Anything that feels unclear, rushed, or minimized.
- How staff respond to questions about past problems or inspections.
- Whether what you see on the tour matches what you were told.
Tip: Print this page or save as PDF and bring it with you. Add your own questions based on your situation.
Important: This checklist does not recommend or endorse any facility. It is for planning and question-asking only.