Quality care is of utmost importance when selecting a facility for yourself or your parent. Below are tips on evaluating assisted living facilities, memory care and independent living facilities.

Assisted living facilities can be very expensive, so narrowing down those the family can afford is of first concern. After that, choosing a safe facility that has a track record of providing good care is of utmost importance.
Your research is especially crucial if you are placing someone with cognitive concern because they may not be able to communicate if there is a problem.
Narrow Down Your Options
Drawing up an initial list of senior living facilities is no small task, as the options can be overwhelming. The Seniors Blue Book provides a comprehensive list of facilities with comparisons of offerings. There are several other sites that list facilities although it is good to be aware that many of those are for profit sites that get paid for referrals. Once you have identified a few that you feel will meet your needs, check with family and friends for recommendations. Senior Centers typically have a social worker who can also offer advice.
It may also be worthwhile to check to see if an in-home care taker would suit the family’s needs and budget. Medicare will pay for some level of in-home care, even for dementia patients.
The facilities each have their own website so once you have narrowed down your choices, you should visit their websites to get a feel for their services and the look of the facility. Some even have virtual tours online.
Research health and safety standards
Nearly every state performs regular inspections of senior living facilities and posts these reports online.
- What they assess: Inspectors evaluate various aspects of the facility including resident care, staffing levels, medication management, cleanliness, food safety, emergency preparedness, resident rights, and physical environment.
- How to access them: Most states allow access to inspection reports online through their respective health department websites, often with search functions to find specific facilities.
- Important details in the report:
- Deficiencies: Any areas where the facility failed to meet regulatory standards are listed as “deficiencies” with details on the issue and severity level.
- Plan of Correction: If deficiencies are found, the facility must submit a plan outlining how they will address the issues.
- Complaint investigations: If complaints are filed against a facility, the inspection report may include details about investigations related to those complaints.
Inspectors will find something with every facility so don’t be alarmed if there are deficiencies. Just make sure they are not serious. Other things to look for:
Licensing and accreditation. Facilities should hold valid state licenses and meet local regulations, which families can often verify through the state’s health or aging department, where inspection records and any past violations are available.
To learn more about licensure, you can either request to see a copy during your tour or you can Google: the name of the state + the provider type + licensure.
Staff: Inquire about caregiver certifications, staff-to-resident ratios and any specialized training, especially if memory care or advanced support is needed. Staff is one of the biggest costs for any facility so you want to make sure they are not cutting corners here. Too few staff and your loved ones could be neglected.
Ask about medical support availability, medication management and whether healthcare professionals, such as nurses or visiting doctors, are regularly on-site.
Tour the facility
Questions to ask:
- How are the staff treating the residents?
- Are there call lights ringing while staff are at the desk on the phone?
- Are residents well-groomed?
- Are residents engaged, comfortable and active, or do they appear isolated or neglected?
- Does the place seem well-kept and in good repair?
- When you touch handrails, are they sturdy? Are they clean?
- Are surfaces in common areas sticky or do they seem clean?
- Are there strong odors?
- If you are looking for memory care, are there safe and secured outdoor spaces that residents can access?
- Are there safety features, such as security systems, secure handrails and clear, unobstructed pathways?
- Do you hear laughter and the sounds of residents being engaged and having fun?
- Imagine yourself living there: Would you be comfortable?
Choosing the right senior living facility
After you’ve narrowed down your initial options, done your research and toured facilities, it’s time to make a decision.
Make a list of the pros and cons for your top choices with the person who is moving
- What did you like?
- What amenities are important?
- How important is the location?
Then consider what you found out about the quality from reading inspection reports, Google reviews and other sources of information. And finally, consider how you both felt when taking the tour. Use all of this information to help you make the best decision.
It’s also important to review pricing structures, which will help you understand what is included in the base rate versus additional fees.” This will help in budgeting for the long term.
Review each facility’s contract with a clear understanding of terms, renewal policies and any clauses related to care level changes, This will ensure there are no hidden surprises down the road.”
The bottom line
By doing upfront research, touring facilities, asking detailed questions and comparing options, you’ll be better equipped to make an informed decision that will align with one’s needs and provide peace of mind that the environment will be supportive, safe and enriching.
Credits: Some of this text taken from an article written by Nicole Fabian-Weber