Senior Living Checklist: Things to Ask When Touring a Community

February 2, 2026
| Vitality Living

When it comes to healthy aging, quite honestly, there’s a lot to do. You’re supposed to make sure to keep your body active and your brain engaged all while maintaining your social connections as well. Sure, the benefits to your overall well-being are worth the effort, but retirement is supposed to be a time with less responsibility on your plate, right? Well, it turns out that in senior living you can have your cake and eat it too, so to speak. Here’s how programs like our Vivid Life make keeping active, engaged, and connected easy and fun!

Benefits of Healthy Aging

Good things happen when you focus on healthy aging. In addition to feeling better overall, which in and of itself is a win, other benefits of keeping active, engaged, and connected include:

Improved ability to do everyday things
Reduced impact of illness and chronic disease
Enhanced mobility, flexibility, and balance
Improved sleep
Increased energy level
Reduced feelings of depression and stress
Increased feelings of happiness and self-confidence
Reduced risk of cognitive decline
Increased mental adaptability and cognitive reserve
Improved memory recall and problem-solving skills
Improved concentration and attention to detail

How Senior Living Can Help

At home, particularly when living alone, it can be hard to stay as active, engaged, and connected as you’d like. From lack of opportunity to lack of motivation to lack of transportation to mobility challenges, and more, it’s tough, we get it! That’s why we created the Vivid Life program in our senior living communities. It’s composed of three parts: Vibrant Body, Vibrant Brain, and Vibrant Connections. Here’s what each entails:

Vibrant Body – We offer amenities such as a state-of-the-art fitness center, a pool, walking trails, gardening opportunities, and even a dog park to help you stay active. A sample of activities includes:

Walking club – Daily walks at different outdoor locations using pedometers to measure steps.
Yoga – At least once per week for gentle yoga, and once per week for mindful breathing.
Fitness classes – At least two times per week using a variety of hand weights, resistance bands, and circuit-type exercises.
Tai Chi – At least once per week with a live instructor.
Non-traditional exercise – Dancing, gardening, etc. at least two times per week.
Physical games and sports – Golf, putting, bowling, croquet, bocce, and ping pong available daily with organized events one to two times per week.

Vibrant Brain – We offer monthly calendars filled with classes, events, creative arts, and enrichment opportunities to help keep you engaged. A sample of activities includes:

Visiting lecture series – Twice per month with topics such as cultural, historical, local interest, career-oriented, etc.
Creative art series – At least one per week with a theme that runs 3-6 weeks, such as poetry writing, storytelling, painting, digital photography, etc.
Learning series – At least three times per month with an emphasis on learning something new such as foreign language, sign language, technology, hobbies, etc.
Games – At least one time per week and may include poker, bridge, Scrabble, etc.
Mindfulness – A meditation class once per week and gratitude discussion group twice monthly.
Church service – At least once a week through visits by local churches.
Stress reduction – At least once per month class that offers deep breathing exercises, nature walks, music appreciation, spa-type treatments, etc.

Vibrant Connections – We offer resident-led clubs, social events, outings and volunteer opportunities for any interest to help you stay connected. A sample of activities includes:

Outings – At least twice per month and may include going to concerts, art shows, museum visits, theatre productions, etc.
Intergenerational programming – At least once per month and focuses on building relationships between young adults/children and residents.
New resident welcome party – At least once per month to formally introduce all new residents, and includes ice breakers, social games, etc. to encourage connection.
Philanthropic program – At least once per month provide residents the opportunity to give back to the community, such as volunteering for a local food bank or pet shelter.
Resident-led clubs – May include game clubs, professional clubs, common interests, etc. that meet at least monthly.

What’s more, it’s all right outside your door (or transportation is provided offsite) and all in a supportive environment with home maintenance, housekeeping, and restaurant-style dining freeing your time to make it even easier to stay active, engaged, and connected.

Learn more about Vitality Living’s Vivid Life programs. Or find a Vitality Living community near you today to schedule a tour.

After the holidays and into the new year, many families begin important conversations about the future. This often marks the beginning of senior living research, as loved ones explore care options, compare communities, and determine the next step.

With many choices available, knowing what to look for in a senior living community can feel overwhelming. From lifestyle offerings to care services, every detail matters, and without a plan, it’s easy to overlook key considerations during a senior living tour.

That’s where a clear senior living checklist can help. This guide will walk you through the most important questions to ask senior living communities, what to evaluate while touring, and how to assess senior living amenities and services that support comfort, safety, and quality of life. Whether you’re just beginning your research or preparing for an upcoming visit, these insights will help you feel confident, informed, and prepared every step of the way.

Before the Tour: How to Prepare

Before setting foot in a community, a little preparation can go a long way. Prior to scheduling an in-person visit, start with a phone call or online inquiry. Asking a few key questions upfront can help narrow your options and ensure the community aligns with your priorities.

Questions To Ask on the Phone:

These early conversations are an important step in your senior living research, allowing you to gather essential details and narrow down your options efficiently. Asking the right questions to senior living communities over the phone can help you determine whether a community aligns with your needs, preferences, and expectations. Below are a few examples of questions to ask:

What levels of care are offered (independent living, assisted living, memory care)?
What senior living amenities and services are included?
Are different floor plans available?
What is the availability timeline?
Does this community offer wellness programs and social activities?

What to Bring With You

Being prepared before your senior living tour can make a meaningful difference in how confident and productive the visit feels. Bringing the right materials allows you to stay organized, ask thoughtful questions, and compare communities more effectively as part of your ongoing senior living research. Consider packing items such as:

A printed or digital senior living checklist
A notebook or phone for notes and photos
A list of personal priorities (care needs, budget, lifestyle preferences)
A trusted family member or friend for a second perspective

10 Things To Look For While Touring

1. First Impressions & Overall Atmosphere

Pay attention to how the community feels when you arrive. Is it welcoming, clean, and well-maintained? First impressions matter during a senior living tour, and they often reflect daily life for residents.

2. Resident Interactions & Engagement

Observe how residents interact with one another and with staff. Do they seem comfortable, engaged, and happy? Seeing organic social connections is a strong indicator of a supportive environment and meaningful lifestyle.

3. Staff Friendliness & Availability

Notice whether staff members greet residents by name and respond promptly to questions. One of the most important questions to ask senior living communities is about staff training, tenure, and availability.

4. Floor Plans & Accessibility

Look closely at apartment layouts and shared spaces. Are hallways wide? Are bathrooms accessible? Do floor plans feel functional and easy to navigate? Accessibility is a key part of what to look for in a senior living community, especially for long-term comfort.

5. Safety Features & Security

Ask about emergency response systems, lighting, secured entrances, and fall-prevention measures. These features are often built into senior living amenities and services, but may vary by location.

6. Dining Options & Nutrition

Tour the dining areas and review sample menus to get a feel for the overall experience. Ask how meals are prepared, whether dietary needs are accommodated, and how flexible the dining schedule is. Since dining is a daily part of life, it plays a significant role in overall comfort and satisfaction, making it important to ensure the approach aligns with your personal needs and preferences.

7. Amenities That Support Daily Life

From fitness centers and libraries to salons and outdoor spaces, amenities should enhance daily routines—not complicate them. Take time to evaluate the quality, cleanliness, and accessibility of the senior living amenities and services, and consider how well they support comfort, convenience, and everyday enjoyment.

8. Wellness Programs & Health Support

Wellness programs should support physical, emotional, and social well-being. Ask what services are included, how frequently programs are offered, and whether they’re led by trained professionals. These offerings play a key role in daily life and are an essential part of any comprehensive senior living checklist.

9. Activities, Events & Social Opportunities

Review the activity calendar and ask how residents are encouraged to participate. A well-rounded schedule reflects a community’s commitment to engagement, connection, and purposeful living, key factors when considering what to look for in a senior living community.

10. Costs, Contracts & What’s Included

Finally, ask for clear explanations of pricing, contract terms, and what services are included or available at an additional cost. Transparent answers are essential during your senior living research process.

After the Tour: Reflect & Compare

After your senior living tour, take time to review your notes. Compare how each community you’ve toured measured up against your senior living checklist, especially in areas like amenities, wellness programs, and resident engagement. Ask yourself the following questions:

Could I (or my loved one) see myself living here?
Did the community meet my top priorities?
Were staff members open and informative when answering questions?

Choosing a senior living community is a significant decision, but the right preparation makes the process far less overwhelming. With this senior living checklist, thoughtful senior living research, and the right questions to ask senior living communities, you can approach every senior living tour with confidence and clarity.

Use this guide as a trusted reference as you explore your options and take the next step toward a fulfilling, supported lifestyle. To learn more about our communities and how we support residents across every stage of senior living, contact Vitality Living to discover our senior living communities throughout the Southeast.

Senior Living

Vitality Living

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