Assisted Living Checklist

Touring with Purpose

A well-structured checklist can help you stay organized, ask the right questions, and document your impressions during each visit.

Below is a condensed version of a comprehensive checklist. For the full PDF download, visit:
www.CielitoLindoSeniorLiving.com

General Observations

• Are you warmly welcomed upon arrival?
• Do staff members treat residents with respect and kindness?
• Are residents called by name?
• How many living units are there?
• Do residents seem engaged, content, and comfortable?

Staff

• What is the staff-to-resident ratio?
• Are staff and residents well-groomed?
• Is there a full-time physician (GP or Gerontologist) on-site?
• Are psychologists or physical therapists available full-time?
• Is there trained staff to administer medications safely and correctly?

Meals

• Are meals nutritious, appealing, and freshly prepared?
• Can meals be tailored to dietary restrictions or medical needs?
• Is there a specialized memory care dining program?

Rooms, Suites & Facilities

• Residence is clean, well-lit, and scent-free?
• Spaces feel aesthetically appealing, warm, and home-like?
• Is the floor plan logical, easy to navigate, and equipped for safety?
• Are handrails, call buttons, safety locks, and emergency systems present?
• Are rooms large enough and personalized?
• Are outdoor areas accessible, inviting, and secure?
• Do rooms offer private bathrooms and allow for personal furniture?
• Are specialized care units (e.g. Alzheimer’s) available?

Activities & Care

• Is there a robust daily activity schedule?
• Are activities tailored to individual interests and abilities?
• Does each resident have a personalized care plan?
• Is the family included in care planning?
• Is care adaptable if health needs change?
• Is there a physician or care coordinator on-site full-time?
• Is there a bridge program for early-stage memory care?
• Are there circular walking paths, Snoezelen/light therapy rooms, music therapy, or pet therapy?
• Are residents grouped by cognitive level to optimize care?

Safety

• What is the emergency response protocol?
• Are medical emergencies handled on-site or referred out?
• Are there clearly marked exits, handrails throughout, and backup power?
• Who coordinates outside medical or specialty visits?

Total Assistance (Family-Centered Support)

• Does the facility offer assistance to you, the caregiver?
• Are video calls easily arranged?
• Is help offered for relocation logistics, particularly cross-border moves?
• Are regular reports or photos sent to family?
• Does the facility offer flat-rate pricing across care levels?
• Are prescription costs managed through pharmacy partnerships?

The Contract

• Is a contract available, easy to understand, and transparent?
• Does it clearly outline:
  
  • Admission/discharge policies?
  • Services and frequency of delivery?
  • Care levels and associated costs?
  • Health care provisions?
  • Laundry, linen, transportation, and meals?
• Are there details about:
  
  • Entrance fees, deposits, and rent?
  • Refundability of deposits?
  • Utilities, internet, and phone?
  • Pets and personal furniture?
  • Visitation policies?
• Is the resident’s right to legal action preserved?
• Is the residence held during hospitalization?

Closing Notes

This is more than just a checklist—it’s your roadmap to making an informed, confident, and compassionate decision for someone you love.

Take your time. Visit more than once if possible. Speak with residents. Ask bold questions. Most importantly, trust how you feel while walking through the facility. Because in the end, you’re not just choosing care—you’re choosing a new chapter in someone’s life.