An in-person tour is the single most important step in choosing a senior care community. Most families tour two or three facilities; the ones who tour well — asking pointed questions and observing carefully — make better decisions and fewer regrets.

The 25 questions below are organized into six categories. Bring this list on your tour. Ask every question. If staff seem reluctant to answer, that’s important information too.

Staffing & Training (Most Important Category)

  1. What is the staff-to-resident ratio during day, evening, and overnight shifts? Many states only require a minimum — ask what the actual current ratio is, not just the legal minimum.
  2. What is your annual direct care staff turnover rate? Industry average is 40–75%. Any facility above 100% is a significant red flag. Staff continuity directly affects care quality.
  3. What training do direct care aides receive before working independently with residents? Look for a specific number of hours, not just a vague affirmative answer. Ask about ongoing training.
  4. Is there a licensed nurse on-site 24 hours a day? Required for nursing homes; varies for assisted living. If not on-site overnight, ask what the nurse on-call protocol is.
  5. How do you handle staffing when an aide calls in sick? The answer reveals whether the community has a reliable float pool, mandates overtime, or operates short-staffed during gaps.

Care Planning & Communication

  1. How often is a resident’s care plan reviewed and updated? A good answer is quarterly at minimum, plus after any significant health change. Ask who participates — families should be included.
  2. Who is my primary point of contact for family concerns? There should be a named person — a care coordinator, director of nursing, or community liaison — not “anyone on the floor.”
  3. How quickly does the facility notify families of falls, infections, or health changes? A 24-hour phone call policy is standard for significant events. Ask what “significant” means to them.
  4. What is the process when a resident’s condition deteriorates and a higher level of care is needed? Is there a skilled nursing wing on campus? What happens if the resident can no longer be served by this facility?
  5. Can we speak with a family member of a current resident? Willing to provide a reference? Hesitation to connect you with satisfied families is telling.

Dining Experience

  1. May we review this week’s menu and taste a meal during the tour? Reputable communities say yes. The answer to this question — and the quality of the meal — will tell you a lot.
  2. How are dietary restrictions and preferences accommodated? Ask specifically about the loved one’s actual restrictions: diabetic, low-sodium, texture-modified, or religious dietary requirements.
  3. Are there set mealtimes or flexibility? Rigid 45-minute windows vs. a two-hour dining period makes a significant difference in resident experience and dignity.
  4. What happens if a resident refuses a meal or has a poor appetite? Ask how nutrition concerns are escalated to nursing or family.

Safety & Emergency Preparedness

  1. What is the facility’s FEMA flood zone designation? Relevant throughout Greater Houston. This site displays flood zone data for every listed facility. A Zone AE or Floodway designation warrants a direct conversation about emergency plans.
  2. Is there a backup generator? What systems does it power? During Hurricane Harvey (2017), power outages lasted days. Generators should power HVAC, lighting, elevators, and medical equipment — not just emergency lights.
  3. What is the hurricane or emergency evacuation plan for non-ambulatory residents? Texas law requires ALFs to have a written emergency management plan. Ask to see it. Ask where residents are evacuated to.
  4. How is medication security managed? Medications should be locked and tracked by trained staff, not stored in resident rooms where they can be misused or lost.
  5. Are all exits secured for memory care residents, and how are entry/exit events monitored? For memory care, wandering prevention is non-negotiable. Ask about door alarms, keypad access, and the last time a resident left unintentionally.

Physical Environment

  1. Can we see an unoccupied room of the type we’re considering? Evaluate size, natural light, bathroom accessibility (grab bars, roll-in shower), storage, and HVAC controls.
  2. What do residents do when it rains for a week? Evaluate indoor common areas. Are there multiple activity rooms, a library, a chapel? What is the indoor programming like?
  3. What is the pest control protocol and when was the last inspection? Ask directly. A dismissive answer is a red flag.

Financial & Contractual

  1. Please provide a written, itemized fee schedule before we leave today. Any community that refuses to provide pricing in writing is not operating transparently.
  2. What triggers a rate increase? How much advance notice is given? Annual increases of 3–5% are common; 10%+ mid-year increases have been documented at some communities.
  3. What is your refund policy if a resident passes away or requires a hospital transfer within the first 30–90 days? Community fees (one-time move-in fees) are sometimes partially or fully refundable within a window. Get this in writing.

What to Observe Beyond the Questions

  • Do staff greet residents by name as they pass in hallways?
  • Are residents dressed appropriately and groomed, or are they still in nightgowns at 11 AM?
  • Are residents engaged in activities, or is the common room filled with people staring at a television?
  • Does the facility smell clean? Any persistent odors in resident wings?
  • Are call lights in hallways answered within a reasonable time?
  • What is the energy of the dining room — social and lively, or institutional and quiet?

Tour at least three facilities. Visit at least one during a mealtime and, if possible, call ahead for a second visit during an evening or weekend shift when administrative staff are not present.

Browse Houston-area facilities and use the comparison tool to shortlist communities before scheduling tours.