Elder Care Navigator
Free checklist · From 24 years at the bedside
10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Care Facility
Every place looks good on a tour. These are the questions I would ask for my own family. The answers tell you how your parent will be cared for at 2 a.m., not just how the lobby looks at 2 p.m.
Print itBring one copy for each place you tour and write the answers down.
Ask more than one personAsk the tour guide, and if you can, an aide or nurse on the floor.
Compare side by sideUse the grid at the bottom to see all the places together.
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1
What is your staff-to-resident ratio on the night shift and on weekends?
Daytime tours show the best staffing. Many falls and missed needs happen at night and on weekends, when fewer people are working.
Good answerSpecific numbers for each shift, given without hesitation.
Red flag“It varies,” or they only give daytime numbers.
2
How long have your current nurses and aides worked here?
Staff who stay get to know your parent's habits and notice when something is off. Constant turnover means constant strangers.
Good answerMany staff have been there a year or more, and they rarely use temporary agency staff.
Red flagThey can't answer, or they rely heavily on agency staff.
3
What happens if Mom's needs increase? Can she stay, or will she have to move?
Health often changes after a move. A second move is hard on older adults, especially people with memory loss.
Good answerA clear explanation of what they can handle, and the reasons someone would have to leave, in writing.
Red flagA vague answer, or “we'll figure it out.”
4
What does the monthly price include, and what costs extra?
Many places charge extra for higher care levels, medication help, or supplies. The advertised price is often not the real price.
Good answerA written fee list, and an explanation of how and when prices go up.
Red flagNo written fee list, or “it depends” with no details.
5
Who gives medications, and what happens if a dose is missed or wrong?
Medication mistakes are one of the most common problems in care settings. You want to know who is responsible and what they do when something goes wrong.
Good answerThey name who gives medications, how those staff are trained, and the steps they follow after an error.
Red flagThey can't describe what happens after a mistake.
6
How quickly do staff answer call lights?
When your parent presses the call button for the bathroom or for help, every minute matters. Long waits lead to falls and accidents.
Good answerThey track response times and can tell you the average.
Red flagThey don't track it. Watch for call lights left on during your tour.
7
How do you prevent falls, and what happens after one?
Falls are one of the biggest risks for older adults. A good place has a plan before a fall and a routine after one.
Good answerA fall-risk check when someone moves in, a care plan, and a call to the family after any fall.
Red flag“We don't really have falls here.”
8
Who will be my main contact, and how often do you meet with families?
You need one person who knows your parent and calls you back. Regular care meetings keep everyone on the same page.
Good answerA named contact, a direct phone number, and scheduled care meetings with the family.
Red flag“Just call the front desk.”
9
Can I see your most recent state inspection report?
State inspectors visit care facilities and write up what they find. For nursing homes, you can also look up ratings on Medicare's Care Compare website.
Good answerThey hand it over and explain what they fixed.
Red flagThey won't show it, or they brush off serious findings.
10
Can I visit without calling ahead, at mealtime or in the evening?
A scheduled tour is a performance. An unplanned visit shows you everyday life: how food is served, how residents are spoken to, and how busy the staff are.
Good answer“Yes, come anytime during visiting hours.”
Red flagThey push you to schedule every visit.
Compare the places you tour
Write a short note or a score from 1 to 5 for each answer. The best choice is usually clear once you see them together.
| Question | Place A | Place B | Place C |
|---|
| Name of the place | | | |
| 1 Night and weekend staffing | | | |
| 2 How long staff have worked there | | | |
| 3 Can stay if needs increase | | | |
| 4 Real monthly cost | | | |
| 5 Medication process | | | |
| 6 Call light response time | | | |
| 7 Fall prevention plan | | | |
| 8 Main contact and family meetings | | | |
| 9 State inspection report | | | |
| 10 Unannounced visits welcome | | | |
Look around while you're there
- Are residents dressed, groomed, and out of their rooms?
- Do staff call residents by name?
- Does it smell clean?
- Are call lights answered while you watch?
Talk to people who live it
- Ask a resident: “Do you like it here?”
- Ask a visiting family: “Would you choose it again?”
- Ask an aide: “How long have you worked here?”
- Trust your gut. You know your parent.
Want someone with experience on your side?
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Elder Care Navigator provides non-medical care guidance and education. It does not replace advice from your parent's physician, nurse, attorney, or financial advisor.