# Questions to Ask on a Memory Care Tour

A checklist of questions to ask during a memory care tour, covering staffing ratios and training, activities, medical support, safety, meals, and contract terms.

Updated 2026-10-10. Also on the [web page](https://memorycarehomes.fyi/guides/questions-to-ask-on-a-memory-care-tour).

# Questions to Ask on a Memory Care Tour

A tour of a memory care community is your best chance to see how a facility actually operates. The questions you ask during the visit can reveal far more than the brochure or website. Go prepared, take notes, and do not be afraid to ask the same question more than one way.

## Staffing and Training

Staff are the most important part of any memory care community. Ask:

- How many residents per staff member on the day shift and on the night shift?
- Is there a licensed nurse on-site 24 hours a day, or are nurses available only during certain hours?
- What dementia-specific training do direct care staff receive before they start working alone?
- How often is ongoing training required, and what topics does it cover?
- What is the annual staff turnover rate? High turnover can mean low continuity of care.
- Are staff members trained in de-escalation techniques for residents who become agitated or aggressive?

## Activities and Daily Life

Life in memory care should be more than custodial. Ask to see a copy of the weekly activity calendar and note:

- Are there structured activities throughout the day, including weekends?
- Do activities include music, movement, art, or sensory stimulation, or are they mostly passive, such as TV?
- Are residents with limited mobility included in activities?
- How often do residents go outdoors?
- Can family members join activities or eat a meal with their loved one?

## Medical Support and Health Services

Memory care communities vary in what medical support they provide. Find out:

- Who coordinates care with the resident's primary care physician?
- How are medication changes communicated to family?
- What happens if a resident needs to see a doctor or dentist? Does the facility arrange transportation?
- Is there a relationship with a nearby pharmacy?
- How does the facility manage pain, incontinence, or infections?
- Is hospice care allowed to provide services inside the community?

## Safety and Security

The physical safety of a memory care unit is critical. Ask:

- How are exits secured, and is there an alarm system if a resident tries to leave?
- What happens when the alarm sounds, and how quickly is staff expected to respond?
- Is the outdoor courtyard or garden enclosed and accessible to residents at all times?
- How does the facility handle a missing resident?
- What is the emergency evacuation plan for residents who cannot follow verbal directions?

## Meals and Nutrition

- Are meals served in a dining room or in resident rooms?
- Can residents with swallowing difficulties or special diets be accommodated?
- Is there a menu rotation, and can family see it?
- Are snacks and hydration offered between meals?
- How does staff assist residents who have trouble eating independently?

## Admissions, Contracts, and Costs

Before you sign anything, understand the business terms:

- What is included in the monthly fee, and what costs extra?
- Is there a community fee or deposit, and is any portion refundable?
- What is the process if the resident's care needs increase and they need a higher level of care?
- How much notice is required to move out, and are there penalties?
- How often have rates increased in the past three years, and by how much?
- Under what circumstances can the facility ask a resident to leave?

## Visiting and Family Involvement

- Are there any limits on visiting hours?
- Can family members take the resident out for meals or appointments?
- How does the facility communicate with families about changes in condition or incidents?
- Is there a family council or regular family meetings?

## A Note on Observation

Equally important is what you observe without asking. Notice how staff speak to residents. Do they use names? Do they make eye contact? Do they smile? Watch how long it takes for a call light to be answered. Eat a meal if you are invited. Look at the condition of the furniture, the floors, and the outdoor area. These details will tell you as much as any answer.

After the tour, write down your impressions while they are fresh. Compare notes with anyone who toured with you. If something felt wrong, trust that feeling and visit at least one more community before deciding.

## Questions

### What is the single most important question to ask on a tour?

Ask how many residents each staff member is responsible for during the day and at night. Staff-to-resident ratio is the strongest operational indicator of how much attention your family member will actually receive.

### Should I visit unannounced before choosing a facility?

Yes. An unscheduled visit, especially during a meal or in the late afternoon, gives you a more honest picture of how the community runs when they are not expecting a tour. If a facility refuses unannounced visits, consider that a red flag.

### What should I look for in the physical environment?

Pay attention to smells, noise levels, and how residents look. Do residents seem clean and engaged? Are call lights answered promptly? Is the outdoor courtyard well-maintained and truly secure? Trust your sense of the atmosphere as much as the answers to your questions.