Facility Visit & Comparison Checklist

Not sure which level of care to even start looking at? MemoryPath's guide to independent living, assisted living, and memory care explains how the three generally differ before you start touring.

A few things worth knowing before you use this:

Terminology, services, staffing requirements, and licensing rules vary by state and by facility. Nothing here is a universal standard -- treat every item as a starting point for a conversation, not a checklist a facility is required to satisfy in exactly this way. Where you have real medical, legal, or financial questions, a physician, elder law attorney, or financial advisor familiar with your situation is a better source than a general checklist.

This tool doesn't tell you which facility to choose, and no single answer here should be read as a sign that someone must move to a higher level of care. Care needs change gradually for most people, and decisions about that are personal -- best made with the people involved and the professionals supporting them, not by a checklist item alone.

Print a copy for each facility you visit (the print button below works from any device), fill it out during the tour, and lay the copies side by side afterward -- that's the comparison step.

Before Your Visit

• Write down your top 3-5 priorities in advance, so a good sales presentation doesn't crowd out what actually matters to your family
• Schedule one visit at a typical time and consider a second, unannounced visit at a different time of day
• Bring a list of current medications, diagnoses, and care needs to discuss with staff
• Ask whether you can stay for a meal or an activity during the visit

Staff & Care Team

• What is the staff-to-resident ratio, during the day and overnight?
• What dementia-specific training do direct care staff receive, and how often?
• How long has the core staff been with the community? What is staff turnover like?
• Who is the point of contact for our family, and how are they reached?

Personal Care & Daily Support

• How is help with bathing, dressing, and eating actually provided day to day?
• How does staff approach a resident who is resistant to care in the moment?
• How are personal routines and preferences learned and respected?

Safety & Supervision

• What fall-prevention and emergency-response features exist in resident rooms and common areas?
• How are residents supervised in common areas throughout the day?
• What does the facility do differently for residents with dementia specifically, versus general senior living?

Wandering & Elopement Prevention

• What specific measures prevent a resident from leaving the building or grounds unsupervised?
• What is the facility's written response protocol if a resident is found to be missing?
• Are outdoor spaces secured and accessible for residents who want to be outside safely?

Medication Management & Healthcare Coordination

• Who administers medications, and what is their training?
• How does the facility coordinate with outside physicians, and how are changes in health status communicated to them?
• Is a nurse or medical professional on site, and for how many hours a day?

Communication With Families

• How and how often will our family be updated on day-to-day wellbeing?
• How are incidents (falls, health changes, disputes with other residents) reported to families?
• What does the facility do if a family disagrees with a care decision?

Activities & Quality of Daily Life

• What does a typical day and week of activities actually look like?
• Are activities adapted for residents at different stages or abilities?
• Are residents visibly engaged during the visit, or mostly unoccupied?

Meals & Dietary Needs

• Can dietary restrictions, allergies, and personal preferences be accommodated?
• Is help with eating provided discreetly and patiently for residents who need it?
• Can you sample a meal or see food actually being served?

Overnight Staffing & Emergencies

• What is overnight staffing, and how quickly can a resident reach help?
• What is the emergency plan for severe weather, power outages, or a medical crisis?
• Which hospital does the facility coordinate with in an emergency?

Transportation & Appointments

• Does the facility provide transportation to medical appointments? At what cost?
• Can a family member accompany a resident to an appointment if they want to?

As Care Needs Change

Care needs for people living with dementia typically change gradually, and how a facility handles that -- not just how it looks today -- is worth understanding upfront.

• Can a resident remain in this community as their care needs increase, or are there circumstances that would require moving to a different level of care?
• If a transition is ever needed, how is that decision made, and who is part of that conversation?
• What support is offered to a family during a transition, if one becomes necessary?

Costs & Fees

• What is included in the base cost, and what is billed separately?
• Do costs increase as care needs increase? By how much, and under what circumstances?
• What is the policy on refunds or notice periods if a resident leaves?

Licensing, Inspections & Oversight

• Is the facility licensed for the specific level of care you need, and can they show you that license?
• Ask for, or look up separately, the facility's most recent state inspection report and any substantiated complaints
• Medicare's Care Compare tool lets you look up inspection history for many facility types directly -- worth checking independently of what a facility tells you

Your Observations

Space to note what you noticed, beyond what staff told you.

Comparing Facilities

Once you've visited more than one community, lay the printed checklists side by side and look specifically at where the answers differed -- staffing ratios, how transitions in care are handled, and total cost are usually where the real differences show up. There's rarely one universally "right" answer; the best fit depends on the specific person and what matters most to your family.