Florida Senior Living Review

Senior living guides

Checklist for touring senior living

Make every visit easier to compare.

Take the same checklist to each community, involve the person who may move, and record what you see as well as what you are told. Use the visit to identify questions that need a written answer.

Explore communities Explore Florida cities

At a glance

Prepare together

Agree on the needs and preferences that matter most.

Look and listen

Explore everyday spaces and ask how support works.

Keep clear notes

Compare answers and confirm important details.

1. Before your visit

Write down your priorities and ask whether the community can discuss them during the tour. Bring a trusted person if helpful, while keeping the prospective resident involved in the conversation.

Sources: FloridaHealthFinder: Assisted living consumer guide

Prepare for the tour

List the room, support, budget and location preferences you want to discuss. Confirm the tour time, accessibility needs and who will meet you. Ask to see the room type you are considering and shared spaces you expect to use. Bring the same questions to each community so you can compare answers. For a licensed care setting, check the provider record through FloridaHealthFinder.

Check items as you go. Print a copy to keep your notes.

2. Explore the spaces

Notice whether the setting works for the person’s usual routines and mobility. Ask how a resident requests help in each area you visit.

Rooms and shared spaces

Walk the route between the room, dining area and places used for activities. Discuss bathroom access, storage, lighting and any equipment needs. Ask about room choices, furnishing rules, maintenance and housekeeping. Visit outdoor areas and ask how residents access them. Ask about visitor arrangements, transport and parking.

Check items as you go. Print a copy to keep your notes.

3. Discuss support and communication

Describe the support you are looking for and ask which services the community can provide. A tour does not replace an individual assessment or a discussion with the person’s care team.

Care and communication

Ask how needs are assessed before moving and reviewed afterward. Ask who is available during the day, overnight and on weekends. Discuss medication support, urgent assistance and services provided by outside professionals. Ask who families contact with a question and how changes are communicated. Ask what happens if a resident needs more support than the community can provide.

Check items as you go. Print a copy to keep your notes.

4. Picture an ordinary day

Ask about routines rather than relying only on the tour schedule. Where appropriate and with their agreement, hear from residents about their experience.

Meals and daily life

Review a recent menu and discuss preferences, dietary needs and dining schedules. Look at the activity calendar and ask how residents choose to participate. Ask about quiet space, privacy, hobbies and opportunities to spend time with others. Discuss outings, transport reservations and any extra charges. Note how staff and residents communicate during the visit.

Check items as you go. Print a copy to keep your notes.

5. Collect the written details

Ask for a quote and agreement to review after the visit. Mark unclear points for follow-up before making a commitment.

Compare quotes with the costs guide ↗

Costs and agreements

Request an itemized quote for the room and services you discussed. Separate recurring costs from deposits and other one-time payments. Ask about price changes, cancellation, notice and refund terms. Confirm room availability and what any reservation payment means. Request written clarification of important verbal promises.

Check items as you go. Print a copy to keep your notes.

6. Record and follow up

Use these fields to keep a short record of the visit. Notes and checkmarks stay on this page and are not submitted or saved. Print a copy before leaving the page if you want to keep them.

Compare the same details

Topic	Details to compare
Rooms and shared spaces	Room choices, everyday routes, bathroom access and outdoor areas.
Support and communication	Services discussed, staff availability and family contacts.
Meals and daily life	Dining, activities, privacy, outings and transport.
Costs and agreements	Itemized costs, deposits, price changes, notice and refund terms.

Compare your notes with the person who may move. Request missing documents or a follow-up conversation, and revisit any issue that could change the decision.

Your visit notes

Community name

Visit date

What felt like a good fit?

What needs clarification?

Next step and person to contact

Print includes typed notes and checked items.

7. Frequently asked questions

Can I use this checklist for different kinds of senior living?

Yes. Skip questions that do not apply and add those that reflect the person’s needs. Independent living, assisted living, memory care and nursing care offer different services; confirm the specific arrangement with each provider.

Does a completed checklist mean a community is right for us?

No. It helps organize observations and questions. Consider the person’s preferences, professional assessments when needed, written terms and current provider information before deciding.

Are my notes saved?

No. Notes and checkmarks are temporary in this page. Use Print this guide to keep a paper copy or save a PDF through your browser before leaving.

Sources and review note

Content checked September 28, 2026. General planning information; confirm current services and terms with the provider.

Build your tour shortlist

Explore Florida communities and contact the places you would like to visit.

Explore communities

Assisted living Memory care Independent living Costs Questions to ask