Senior father and adult son chatting on patio

Finding the Best Assisted Living for Your Parent: Questions to Ask Your Parent After Touring an Assisted Living Community

News & Blog

May 19, 2023

You’ve already taken the first step by visiting an assisted living community with your parent, and now it’s time for one-on-one conversations to fully understand their impressions and help them process their emotions. Sometimes it helps to put yourself in your parent’s shoes and try to understand the fears and concerns they have about getting older and needing help. It’s important to capture first impressions immediately after a tour; however, it can take some time to digest all the information you’ve gathered when touring an assisted living community. That’s why we recommend talking through some questions with your parent immediately after your tour, and then following up with additional questions a few days later.

Questions to Ask Right Away

Asking the right questions can help you engage in conversation with your parent about their experience touring an assisted living community. Here’s an assisted living tour checklist with questions to ask immediately following your visit:

What was something you liked about the community when on the tour?
What was something you didn’t like about the community when touring?
Did you feel welcome when we went on the tour?
How would you decorate your apartment if you moved into this community?
Do you think your pet would like to live here? (if they have a pet that would move with them)
What activities or programs do you think you would most look forward to? Art classes? Photography lessons? History lectures? Fitness classes? Scenic drives and hikes?
If you could pick any view from your window, where would you prefer to live on the community campus?
Does this community fit with your lifestyle?
Do you think you could readily make friends here?
How does the food look to you? Would you like to dine here every day?

Questions to Ask a Few Days Later

Sometimes the idea of change can be overwhelming, and it’s helpful to give your loved one some time to process their feelings about moving to assisted living. Here are some follow-up questions to consider asking your parent a few days following your visit:

If you moved to this community, what’s one task that’s challenging for you now that you won’t have to worry about in assisted living? (Examples: driving to doctor appointments, meal preparation and cooking, managing medications, etc.)
Is there anything you’re feeling like you’re giving up if you move to the community?
Is there something keeping you from making a yes or no decision? What is it?
If you said yes to this community, is there anything you would like to iron out/work on before moving that I can help with? (Examples: financial planning, downsizing, etc.)
Is there anything you still have questions about?
Would you like to visit the community again?

We’re Here to Answer All Your Questions

Having an open conversation with your parent about moving to assisted living can help uncover the most pressing issues that need to be addressed so they can move forward with confidence. Asking lots of questions shows you care deeply about their health and happiness, and we’re here to help you and your parent every step of the way! Lakewood’s warm and friendly assisted living community in Richmond, VA, offers an active lifestyle with the security of assistance available 24/7. We provide a helping hand with just the right level of support so your loved one can maintain their independence as long as possible. If you have questions about assisted living or want to schedule a tour, please contact our team.