Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Senior Living Community in Minnesota

When touring a senior living community, most families ask polite questions and accept polished answers. The families who make the best decisions ask the questions that reveal what is actually happening behind the brochure -- including the ones the marketing team did not prepare for.

Here is a practical list of questions organized by topic, designed to give you the information you actually need to choose wisely.

Questions About Costs and Contracts

• What is the base monthly fee, and what does it specifically include?
• What is not included in the base fee -- what will generate additional charges?
• What has the average annual fee increase been over the past three years?
• Are there move-in fees, administrative fees, or community fees in addition to the first month's rent?
• If my parent's needs increase and they require a higher level of care, what happens to the monthly cost?
• What is the notice period required if we decide to leave?
• Is there a refundable security deposit? Under what conditions is it returned?

Questions About Staffing

• What is the staff-to-resident ratio during the day? During overnight hours?
• Is there staff present overnight, or is the community monitored remotely?
• What is the staff turnover rate?
• Are staff members trained in dementia care? Is that training ongoing?
• Who is the primary point of contact for families? How do we reach them?

Questions About Care and Safety

• What happens if my parent has a medical emergency overnight?
• If my parent's care needs increase beyond what this community provides, what is the process?
• Does this community have a memory care unit if dementia becomes a concern in the future?
• How does the community handle medication management?
• What is the fall prevention protocol?

Questions About Dining

• How many meals per day are included in the monthly fee?
• Are there set dining times, or can residents eat when they choose?
• Can you accommodate my parent's specific dietary restrictions or preferences?
• Can family members dine with residents? At what cost?
• Is there a casual or grab-and-go option in addition to the main dining room?

Questions About Community Life

• What does the activity calendar look like? Can I see a recent week's schedule?
• Are there resident-organized clubs or groups? How active are they?
• What transportation is available, and what does it cost?
• What is the guest and visitor policy?
• Can we speak with a current resident -- not one arranged by your team?

The Most Important Question of All

After all the structured questions, ask this: What do you wish families understood about life here that they typically discover only after moving in? The answer -- whether forthcoming and honest or deflecting and vague -- tells you a great deal about the community's culture and the quality of the relationship you are entering into.

More from the Right Size Blog

• How to Tour and Evaluate a Senior Living Community in Minnesota
• Understanding Senior Living Costs in Minnesota: What's Included and What's Extra
• Independent Living vs. Assisted Living vs. Memory Care: Which Is Right for Your Minnesota Parent?
• When Needs Change: Understanding the Continuum of Care in Minnesota