Where to Begin

Your Guide to a Great Community Tour

A community tour is an exciting part of your senior living journey. This is when you can get the first glimpses of your new home, meet potential new neighbors and chat with our staff. The more prepared you are for the process, the easier you can select a community for your lifestyle, needs and preferences.

Benefits of Touring a Community

1. You get a feel for the environment.
We understand the importance of living in a place that feels like home. When you visit a community in person, you can walk through the hallways, see the apartments and get a feel for the common spaces.

2. You can meet the people who work there.
The people who make up your community matter. Meeting team members face-to-face gives you a feel for the warm, welcoming connections you can enjoy each day.

3. You can taste the food.
Food plays an important role in our daily life. When you go on a community tour, you can look at the menu options, sneak a peek at the dining room and try to schedule time to have a meal.

4. You can meet potential neighbors.
An in-person community visit lets you meet people who could be your future neighbors. Hear their take on daily life—and maybe even make a new friend.

5. You can ask more questions.
You might walk in with questions—and think of more along the way. An in-person tour gives you the chance to ask as you go, helping you feel confident and informed every step of the way.

What Can I Ask About Lifestyle and Daily Routine?

From meals to activities, ask about how your day could feel.

Consider questions like:

What kinds of programs and events are available?
What is dining like on a typical day?
Are there opportunities to socialize and stay active?
Is transportation available for errands or outings?
Can I bring a pet?

You may also want to:

Glance at the calendar of activities
Peek at menus and dining areas
Ask about customizing your daily schedule

These details help you picture what life could look like in the community.

What Can I Ask About Lifestyle and Daily Routine?

From meals to activities, ask about how your day could feel.

Consider questions like:

What kinds of programs and events are available?
What is dining like on a typical day?
Are there opportunities to socialize and stay active?
Is transportation available for errands or outings?
Can I bring a pet?

You may also want to:

Glance at the calendar of activities
Peek at menus and dining areas
Ask about customizing your daily schedule

These details help you picture what life could look like in the community.

What Questions Should I Ask About Care During a Community Tour?

Strong support begins with connection. Ask about how the care team works, how they’re trained and what kind of relationship you can expect.

Helpful questions include:

What care levels are available?
What is the community member-to-staff ratio?
How is the staff trained and supported?
How will communication work between the team and my family?

While you tour, pay attention to the interactions around you:

Do community members look comfortable and at ease?
Is the staff friendly, engaged and present?
Does the space feel secure and comforting?

The right community feels welcoming, with people who listen and respond to your questions.

What Questions Should I Ask About Care During a Community Tour?

Strong support begins with connection. Ask about how the care team works, how they’re trained and what kind of relationship you can expect.

Helpful questions include:

What care levels are available?
What is the community member-to-staff ratio?
How is the staff trained and supported?
How will communication work between the team and my family?

While you tour, pay attention to the interactions around you:

Do community members look comfortable and at ease?
Is the staff friendly, engaged and present?
Does the space feel secure and comforting?

The right community feels welcoming, with people who listen and respond to your questions.

How Should I Approach Pricing During a Tour?

Understanding cost can help you feel confident. Be sure to talk through pricing clearly and ask about what’s included.

Questions you may want to ask include:

What is the basic service rate?
Which services and amenities are included?
Are there optional programs or upgrades?
What payment options are available?

Take notes or use a checklist to compare different communities. It’s helpful to know how services, support and flexibility match your needs and your budget.

How Should I Approach Pricing During a Tour?

Understanding cost can help you feel confident. Be sure to talk through pricing clearly and ask about what’s included.

Questions you may want to ask include:

What is the basic service rate?
Which services and amenities are included?
Are there optional programs or upgrades?
What payment options are available?

Take notes or use a checklist to compare different communities. It’s helpful to know how services, support and flexibility match your needs and your budget.

Tips for Community Tours

at Brookdale

Tips for Community Tours

at Brookdale

We toured several communities and Brookdale was the answer. We could imagine our mom sitting on the beautifully decorated front porch, making friends in the bright and airy living room and enjoying a meal in the impressive dining room. The staff is incredible, the activities are great and there is no better feeling than knowing your parent is safe, happy and surrounded by friends."

Gretchen, daughter of a Brookdale resident

Turn Your Tour into a Confident Next Step

Here are a few things you can do to get the information you need from a senior living tour:

Schedule a tour in advance.

Plan your visit in advance to enjoy a more personalized tour. A scheduled time ensures a team member is ready to walk with you, answer questions and help you feel at home.

Call 877-384-8989 to Schedule a Tour

Know what questions to ask.

Prepare your questions in advance and keep a copy of them in a notebook or on an electronic device that you can take with you on tours. This helps you keep your conversation on track.

Download our handy checklist of questions that can help you compare communities.

Visit during an activity.

A great way to get a feel for the community is to be on campus when activities are happening. You can get a real sense of the energy, connections, and daily rhythm. Many communities share their event calendars online, so you can pick something that sounds fun and join in.

Get feedback from the community.

Future neighbors can share what truly makes the community feel like home. During a visit, take time to connect and hear their take on daily life. If you live out of town, online reviews are another helpful way to get a feel for the community.

Take detailed notes.

Take time to jot down notes during your visit—you may even feel more at peace that you did. Your notes can help highlight what stood out and make it easier to compare communities later.

Trust your gut.

Look for a community that matches your wish list—and trust how it feels. When the details line up and the atmosphere feels right, the right path can become more clear.

Want info about pricing?

You got it. Fill out the form to unlock pricing information for our senior living communities. Then, you can head to a community page to learn more.

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