Tips for Touring Senior Living & Care Communities in British Columbia

Choosing the right senior living or care community for you or your loved one is a decision that requires careful research and planning. At Route65.ca, we understand the importance of finding a community that aligns with you or your loved one’s needs and preferences. Our goal is to provide seniors and their families with resources to help them choose a suitable independent living, assisted living, or long-term care community in British Columbia.

Touring a senior living or care community is an essential step in the decision-making process when choosing a place to call home. It can help you gain a better understanding of the environment, services, and amenities available in a particular community. Keep reading for tips and strategies to help you prepare for a tour and determine what to look for and what questions to ask.

1. Prepare a checklist and prioritize needs:

Before you tour a community, ensure you create a checklist of your needs and preferences.

For long-term care and assisted living communities, key factors to consider include the level of care provided, availability of healthcare and personal care services, on-site amenities, recreational activities, meal options, safety measures, accessibility features, available suite/bed/room types, sizes, and costs.

For those exploring independent living communities, Route65.ca provides a helpful resource – a free, printable checklist designed to assist seniors and their families in making informed decisions when selecting a place to call home. Access your copy of the checklist by clicking here and consider bringing it along when attending a tour to guide your questions. Mirroring the standards of EngAge BC’s quality certification program for independent living, Assurity, this checklist is a valuable tool to help navigate what to ask and look for, ensuring confidence in selecting a quality independent living community.

2. Observe the physical environment and atmosphere:

The atmosphere in a community can impact overall well-being and happiness. When touring a community, pay attention to cleanliness, maintenance, staff interaction, communication and responsiveness, accessibility modifications, outdoor spaces, and the ambience in common areas.

3. Engage in activities:

Observe and engage in activities offered in the community during your tour. This can help you evaluate the quality and variety of programs, observe social interaction and community spirit among seniors, and ask if you can speak with residents to gain insight into their experiences, or ask if the community has any resident or family testimonials available.

4. Evaluate costs and payment options:

Enquire about the costs associated with the community, including monthly fees and what services are included. Ask about additional fees for extra services and learn about payment options, costs, and any public subsidies if available. Visit our Resources page to learn more about frequently asked questions about accessing seniors living and care services in British Columbia.

If you’re ready to find the right match for your senior living or care community search in British Columbia, Route65.ca can help. Our extensive online directory connects you with the province’s leading independent living, assisted living, and long-term care providers across the province. Find communities in your area, overview amenities, details, costs, and send a message to the care home directly through the contact form available on their profile page to get answers to questions or book a tour.

Click here to start your search today. Not sure where to begin? Visit our Options page to get started!