Questions to Ask When Touring a Memory Care Home
Choosing a memory care home is one of the biggest decisions a family can make. A tour is your chance to see daily life up close and ask the questions that matter. Bring this list, take notes and, if you can, visit more than once at different times of day.
License and track record
- Is the home licensed by the State of Florida as an assisted living facility? (You can look up licenses and inspection reports on the Agency for Health Care Administration’s FloridaHealthFinder website.)
- Does it hold the specialty training required for residents with dementia?
- How long has the home been operating?
Staff and training
- How many caregivers are on duty during the day? At night?
- What dementia-specific training do caregivers receive?
- How long have most staff members worked here?
- Is there a nurse, and how are doctors involved?
Daily life
- What does a typical day look like?
- What activities are offered, and how are they adapted to each person’s abilities and interests?
- Can residents go outside safely?
- How are meals planned, and can special diets be accommodated?
Care and health
- How are medications managed?
- How do you handle falls, wandering or changes in behavior?
- What happens if my loved one’s needs increase?
- How do you communicate with families about changes?
Costs
- What is included in the monthly rate, and what costs extra?
- How often do rates go up?
- Do you accept long-term care insurance, Medicaid or VA benefits?
Trust your senses
Notice how staff speak to residents. Are residents engaged or sitting idle? Does the home smell clean? Does it feel like a home? Sometimes the feeling you get during a visit tells you as much as any answer.
Have questions about memory care for someone you love? Call Generations Senior Living at (352) 474-2696 or schedule a tour of one of our three homes near The Villages.
