Questions to Ask on a Senior Care Facility Tour

The questions that surface real answers: staffing, turnover, care planning, safety, complaints, cost, and what happens when needs change.

Category: touring-and-evaluation · Updated 2026

Most tour conversations stay comfortable unless you steer them. The questions that reveal the most are specific, and they ask for numbers or examples rather than reassurances. Ask the same questions at every facility so you can compare answers side by side. Write down what you hear, and ask for important claims in writing.

This guide groups the questions by topic so you can take it with you. For the observational side of a visit, see the Nursing Home Tour Checklist.

Care and clinical questions

Who is the nurse responsible for my relative's care, and can I meet them?
How is the care plan built, and how often is it updated with family input?
How do you handle a change in condition, and when do you call the family?
What physician coverage is available, and how quickly can a resident be seen?
How do you coordinate with specialists, hospitals, and hospice?

Staffing and turnover questions

What are the day, evening, and night staffing levels on this unit?
Is a registered nurse in the building overnight?
What are your total and RN turnover rates?
How long has the director of nursing been in the role?
How do you fill shifts when staff call out?

These answers should line up with the facility's CMS staffing data. If they do not, ask why. Federal rules require 24-hour licensed nursing and an RN on duty at least 8 consecutive hours a day under 42 CFR §483.35.

Safety and quality questions

What is your fall rate, and how do you prevent falls?
How do you track and reduce infections?
How are medications ordered, dispensed, and monitored?
What is your rate of antipsychotic use for residents without a related diagnosis?
How do you prevent pressure ulcers, and how do you treat them?
How do you handle elopement risk and secured units?

Compare the answers with the facility's quality measures on Care Compare.

Rights, complaints, and family involvement

How do residents and families raise concerns, and what is the response time?
Is there a resident council, and is it independent of staff?
How are grievances logged, and can I see the process?
What are the visiting hours, and are there restrictions?
How do you protect residents from abuse and neglect, and how is staff trained?

Resident rights under 42 CFR §483.10 include voicing grievances without fear of retaliation. Ask how that is protected in practice.

Cost, contract, and transitions

What is the all-in monthly cost for the room type and care level we need?
What is not included, and how are extra services billed?
How much have rates increased in the past three years?
What happens if we run out of private funds and qualify for Medicaid?
Under what circumstances would you ask a resident to leave?
What is the discharge and appeal process?

Nursing homes must follow federal discharge and transfer rules, including written notice and appeal rights in some cases, under 42 CFR §483.15. Get the contract and rate sheet before signing. See Nursing Home Eviction and Discharge Rights.

Sources: CMS Care Compare; 42 CFR Part 483, Subpart B.

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Frequently asked questions

How many questions should I bring?

Bring a focused list of about ten, but do not rush. Prioritize staffing, care planning, safety, complaints, and cost, because those reveal the most about daily life.

Should I ask the same questions at every facility?

Yes. Consistent questions let you compare answers fairly. Note who answered, and whether the answer was specific or vague.

What if staff give vague answers?

Ask for a number or an example, then follow up in writing. A facility that cannot state its staffing levels or turnover rates may not track them, which is worth knowing.

Can I get the contract before I decide?

Yes. Ask for the admission agreement, rate sheet, and any arbitration clause to review in advance. Have someone with legal or financial experience read it if possible.

Who is the best person to ask?

Ask the administrator and the director of nursing for operational questions, and frontline aides for day-to-day reality. Talking with current families adds a valuable outside view.

Data sources

CMS Provider Data Catalog · CMS Care Compare. This guide is informational and is not medical advice. Processing date: 2026-10-05.

Important disclosures

Informational only, not medical advice. This directory publishes public data and general information. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations, and it is not a substitute for consulting a qualified health care professional or Medicare.

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