Finding the Best Assisted Living For Your Parents: Questions to Ask Your Parent After Touring an Assisted Living Community

As people age many older adults may need additional support with basic daily tasks. Older adults choose to transition to assisted living communities for a number of different reasons. Some older adults may not want to place the responsibility of their care on their loved ones, while others may no longer feel safe living independently in their homes. Assisted living communities offer support with activities of daily living, provide a safer living option, healthier lifestyle and ultimately allow residents to feel more independent.

Adult children often provide much needed support for their aging parents during the transition into assisted living. Many adult children help select which communities to tour, accompany their parents on community visits, ask questions, and address concerns. What happens after the assisted living tour? Asking your parents follow-up questions can help them process their emotions and help them discern which community is the best fit for their needs. For many adult children and their parents, the process of choosing an assisted living community can be a daunting task. That’s why our team at Maplewood Senior Living has compiled a checklist of questions to consider asking your parents or loved one during this time.

Questions to Ask After Your Tour 

Touring assisted living facilities will give you an overview of what your day-to-day might look like at the community. Shortly after touring a community, you might consider asking your parents or loved ones a few questions to help gather their initial feelings about the tour. It’s important to respect your parent’s opinions and to separate your own emotions as you ask and discuss the questions. Here are some questions to consider:

• What part of the community did you enjoy the most?
• Did you like the staff we met?
• Would you enjoy spending time in the community space?
• Would you use the amenities?
• How would you decorate your apartment?
• Do you think you would feel at home here?
• Was there anything you didn’t like?
• Did you feel welcomed when we went on the tour?
• What activities and programs do you think you will enjoy?
• If you could pick any view from your window, what would it be? Where would you prefer to live at the community?
• Does this community fit in with your lifestyle?
• Do you think you could make friends here?
• How does the food look to you? Would you like to dine here every day?
• How do you picture a typical day in this community?

Questions to Ask Days After a Tour 

Selecting an assisted living community can be an emotional and overwhelming decision. Give your parents a few days to reflect on their assisted living tour and then ask follow-up questions. If your loved one is still undecided, these questions may help them with their decision:

• Is there something keeping you from making a decision about this particular community?
• What’s one challenge you face now that would no longer be a concern if you moved here?
• Do you have any additional questions for the staff at this community?
• Is there something you are worried about having to give up if you choose this community?
• Would you like to do another tour?
• Do you feel like you can continue your social life at the community?
• Is there anything you feel you will miss or not experience if you move to this community?
• If you said yes to this community, is there anything you would like to iron out/work on before moving that I can help you with? Financial planning, down-sizing, etc.?

Conversation Tips for Family Members 

Your parent might be feeling mixed emotions when it comes to deciding on a community. Remember to be empathetic when starting conversations regarding their move to assisted living. Listen to what they have to say, ask questions, and keep them involved in all aspects of the decision-making process. It is helpful to plan these conversations in advance, giving your loved one plenty of time to prepare.

Are you ready to plan your tour of assisted living? Make sure to review our comprehensive guide for questions to ask during your tour. If you’re ready to schedule your tour or have questions about our assisted living communities, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!