Touring an assisted living or memory care facility is one of the most important steps in finding the right home for your loved one. But it's easy to get swept up in the aesthetics and miss the details that matter most.
Here are 10 essential questions to ask on your tour — and what to look for in the answers.
1. What is the staff-to-resident ratio?
This is perhaps the most important question. A lower ratio means more personalized attention. Ask separately about daytime and nighttime ratios — they often differ significantly. In California, RCFEs are regulated, but individual facilities often exceed minimums.
2. How is staff trained, and how long have they worked here?
Ask about initial training, ongoing education, and memory care certification if applicable. High staff turnover is a red flag — it often indicates management or culture problems that will affect the quality of care your loved one receives.
3. How is the care plan created and updated?
A good facility will create an individualized care plan for every resident, updated regularly based on changing needs. Ask who is involved in creating the plan (ideally: the resident, family, staff, and physician) and how families are kept informed.
4. What is included in the base monthly cost — and what costs extra?
Get a clear, written breakdown of what's included: meals, laundry, medication management, activities, transportation. Ask specifically about incontinence care, additional ADL assistance, and whether the monthly fee can increase as care needs increase.
5. What does a typical day look like for a resident?
Ask for a sample daily schedule. Is there structured activity or is it unorganized downtime? Are meals eaten together socially or alone in rooms? Is there outdoor time? The answer reveals the culture and quality of daily life.
6. How do you handle medical emergencies?
Understand the protocol: who is called, how quickly, and how the facility communicates with families. Ask which hospitals or physicians they work with. If your loved one has specific medical needs, ask directly whether the staff can support them.
7. Can I speak with current residents or their family members?
The most authentic perspective comes from people already living in or connected to the community. A confident, well-run facility will welcome this request. Hesitation or deflection is a warning sign.
8. Is the facility licensed and has it had any regulatory violations?
In California, RCFE licenses are issued by the Department of Social Services. You can look up any facility's license status, inspection reports, and violations online at the CDSS Care Facility Search. Ask the facility to walk you through their inspection history.
9. What is the move-out policy if my loved one's needs change?
Understand under what circumstances the facility would require a resident to leave — typically when care needs exceed what can be safely provided. Ask whether they support the transition to a higher level of care and whether they have relationships with other providers.
10. What makes this community different from others in the area?
This open-ended question invites the facility to share its philosophy and culture. Listen for specificity — concrete examples of resident care, staff longevity, family relationships, and community values. Vague marketing language without substance is a yellow flag.
When you tour The Oaks at Garfield, we encourage you to ask every one of these questions. We'll answer every one honestly and thoroughly — and we'll invite you to talk with family members of current residents.
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