Why It’s Important to Tour a Senior Living Community Before Moving

Touring Before Moving — Why It’s So Important.

Would you consider purchasing a home without ever having seen it? Or committing to a university without having visited? How about marrying someone you’ve never even met? The answer seems obvious, and the same is true for choosing a senior living community. Whether you’re thinking it might be time for an independent living facility or an assisted living facility, one of the first steps in your journey must be to tour more than one senior independent living community and to tour your favorite more than once. Let’s find out why.

No substitute for being there.

Many people choose a senior living community based on its proximity to their current home or the homes of their loved ones. Others simply choose the most affordable option. While it’s true these factors are important, there are others that could turn out to be even more important:

• Quality
• Financial stability
• Reputation and track record
• Community size and layout
• Services and amenities  
• Resident culture

These are just some of the key considerations that come to mind. Will you be able to determine the answers in each of these areas on a single tour? Perhaps not, but touring is an indispensable part of your discovery process. You need to see the environment firsthand — smell the air, experience the atmosphere and amenities, taste the food, meet residents and staff members. You need to visualize what it will be like to live there. 

First things first.

Even before you set foot inside, you need to find the most tour-worthy candidates. Whether for yourself or for a loved one, don’t lose sight of the fact that you’re looking for a new home — a place where your physical needs will be met, and where you’ll feel happy and comfortable. Start by defining the scope of your particular needs and preferences, and then making the tour part of your ongoing research. For example, are there certain health care services you feel you must have, now or in the future? What type and size residence are you looking for? Are there special amenities — like a fitness center or salon — that are important to you? Knowing your baseline requirements now will make your tour more informative. Once you build this list of requirements, build another list of senior living communities or assisted living facilities within a reasonable radius of your current home. Just use your internet browser and ZIP code to search for retirement communities.   

A senior independent living community’s website can begin to give you an idea of its history and vision for the future. It may offer photo and video galleries with images and testimonials from current staff and residents. Some community websites also offer a virtual tour function that can provide a simulated visual “walk-through” of different residences and key common areas within the community. Previewing these resources online before your tour will better prepare you, and help you concentrate on the experience of actually being on-site.

The tour itself.

Arranging your tour is just a matter of making a call, sending an email, or completing an online form. This is an opportunity for you and your loved ones to speak with community representatives about the specific options offered, and to ask questions and receive meaningful answers. A high-caliber retirement community will offer to assist you in your search and serve as an information resource, regardless of where you ultimately choose to move. 

Once you arrive, be alert, observant and inquisitive. Look, listen and even breathe in the environment. Start with the exterior — what do you think of the buildings and the grounds? As you enter, take note of what you like and what you don’t. Is the atmosphere bright and inviting? Is there much resident activity? Observe how they interact with other residents and staff. If you’re offered the opportunity to chat with them, do so. Your tour guide will show you common spaces like the dining venues, the fitness area, the library and more. Ask questions about them. Do residents have input in running these areas? Try the food. Join residents for a meal if you can. Ask about meal options and the kitchen’s ability to handle different dietary needs. If there are any events or activities that are in progress, ask to observe them for a few minutes.

If you tour the types of residences offered by the community, be as discriminating and inquisitive as you would be when choosing any home you’ve lived in the past. Are the hallways navigable and well lit? Can you live with the décor? Does the atmosphere feel right?

Specific questions for community management:

• What are the advantages of the community’s location?
• How many floor plans are there to choose from?
• What exactly is included in the monthly fee?
• How does the community handle utilities? Who will pay for them?
• What is the dining policy?
• How often are the menus changed?
• Is there a café or bistro option? What about a coffee shop?
• How are meals served (buffet style, table service, etc.)?
• Is there an extra charge for certain amenities? Which ones and how much?
• Do residences have cable TV?
• Does the community have wireless internet?
• Is there a computer room?
• Are there on-site classes or lectures for residents?
• Are common areas available for residents to entertain and socialize?
• What do I need to know about parking for myself and visitors?
• Is there a written care plan for residents who need one? How often is it reviewed?
• Will residents need to move if care needs change over time?
• Are there certain visiting hours for friends and family?
• Are pets allowed?

Special questions for yourself.

• Do I like the community’s location?
• Are the grounds, landscape, and building exterior well maintained and easy to navigate?
• Is the community accessible to less mobile residents?
• Is the management team informative, friendly and personable?
• Does the community offer all the amenities I want?
• Is the food and dining service what I want it to be?
• Do residents seem to be engaged in social events and taking advantage of community amenities?
• How do the staff members treat each other and residents?
• Do the residents seem happy and well cared for?
• Do staff members answer my questions clearly and sufficiently?
• How do I feel in this community? Calm, welcome, and positive about the future?
• Is this a place I can imagine calling home?

Don’t forget the second tour.

If you think you’ve found the right community for yourself or a loved one, be sure to tour again — unannounced — on a different day. You’re making an important decision and you can’t afford to skip this important part of your research. At Santa Marta, we invite you to visit and tour as often as you like. Start by previewing our beautiful community at our website’s gallery page. You’ll be able to browse the community’s photo gallery and video gallery and even take virtual tours of our residences and common areas.

But, of course, the best way to tour Santa Marta is to come see us in person. It’s a good idea to check our community’s current COVID-19 policy first, though. We’re a nonprofit Life Care senior living community sponsored by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. To arrange your tour, or for more information, contact us through our website, or call 913-828-4180.