--- title: Tips for Touring a Senior Living Community description: Find your retirement community! image: https://blog.merrillgardens.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Group_of_Residents_with_Tammi_1_hgkmc0.jpg --- Menu [Contact Us](https://www.merrillgardens.com/contact-us) - [Home](https://www.merrillgardens.com/) - [Who We Are](https://www.merrillgardens.com/who-we-are) - [Communities](https://www.merrillgardens.com/communities) - [Careers](https://www.merrillgardens.com/careers) - [News](https://blog.merrillgardens.com) [![Merrill Gardens logo](https://blog.merrillgardens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/MerrillGardens_January2024/images/m-logo.png?width=144&height=135&name=m-logo.png "Merrill Gardens logo")](https://www.merrillgardens.com/) [206-676-5300](tel:206-676-5300) [Email](https://www.merrillgardens.com/contact-us) ![Tips for Touring a Senior Living Community](https://blog.merrillgardens.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Group_of_Residents_with_Tammi_1_hgkmc0.jpg) # Tips for Touring a Senior Living Community - Home - [Merrill Gardens Blog](https://blog.merrillgardens.com) - Tips for Touring a Senior Living Community [The Team at Merrill Gardens](https://blog.merrillgardens.com/author/the-team-at-merrill-gardens) 01/16/2019 [0 Comments](https://blog.merrillgardens.com/tips-for-touring-a-senior-living-community#postComment) 1 Minutes Finding the right retirement community is important and we want to be a resource for you! ![Friends spending time together at Merrill Gardens](https://blog.merrillgardens.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Five_Ladies_with_Dog_in_Courtyard_us3u21.jpg) When you look for a senior living community, take the time to find one that offers a lifestyle that matches your expectations. Putting in the work during the search process will help ensure that you find a new home that meets your needs. We recommend that you tour at least three different communities, ask lots of questions, and talk to residents about their experiences. It’s a big decision and it’s important to get all the information you need to make the right choice. Take a peek at our checklist to ensure you're making the most of your community tour. Or read our top tips below: - **First Impression** - Were you greeted promptly by front desk staff and offered assistance? - **Observe Team Members** - Observe team member and resident interactions. Are the team members patient and kind? Were you greeted by residents? - **Observe Residents** - Observe residents socializing and/or attending activities. Ask residents about their experiences. - **Review Planned Activities** - Is an activity calendar readily available? Are the activities things you enjoy? - **Note the Condition of the Environment** - Is the building clean and odor free? - **Note Safety Conditions** - Are the hallways, doorways and common areas conducive for safe walking? - **Take the Time to Have a Meal** - Is the service friendly and attentive? Are the dining hours and food choices flexible? Did the dining team meet your food handling expectations? - **Meet the General Manager and Key Staff -** How many team members are scheduled? Check on evening availability and a system for obtaining assistance 24-hours a day. - **Ask About Training and Credentials **- Is there a licensed nurse? How many hours per day or per week is the nurse in the building? - **Review State Survey** - Is the most recent state survey available for review? - **Note your Final Impressions** - Does the community feel like home? For more information about Merrill Gardens communities in your area, **[click here.](https://www.merrillgardens.com/communities#/locations?sortBy=distance)** To download our Touring Tips checklist, **[click here.](https://g5-assets-cld-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/v1549386763/g5/g5-c-iqbdd9s4-merrill-gardens-client/uploads/Touring_Tips_yspqei.pdf)**  --- #### Tag: #### Share: - [Follow us on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.merrillgardens.com/tips-for-touring-a-senior-living-community) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.merrillgardens.com/tips-for-touring-a-senior-living-community&text=Tips%20for%20Touring%20a%20Senior%20Living%20Community) - [Follow us on Linkedin](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.merrillgardens.com/tips-for-touring-a-senior-living-community) - [Follow us on Pinterest](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://blog.merrillgardens.com/tips-for-touring-a-senior-living-community&text=Tips%20for%20Touring%20a%20Senior%20Living%20Communitydescription=Finding%20the%20right%20retirement%20community%20is%20important%20and%20we%20want%20to%20be%20a%20resource%20for%20you!&media=https://5001117.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5001117/Imported_Blog_Media/Group_of_Residents_with_Tammi_1_hgkmc0.jpg) --- ##### [More posts](https://blog.merrillgardens.com/) ### Leave a Comment Below --- ![W3C](https://blog.merrillgardens.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MerrillGardens_January2024/images/wcag2.1AA-blue-v_jaqpmq.png?width=368&name=wcag2.1AA-blue-v_jaqpmq.png "W3C") ###### Merrill Gardens [1938 Fairview Avenue E #300 Seattle, WA 98102](https://www.merrillgardens.com/communities) [206-676-5300](tel:206-676-5300) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.merrillgardens.com/privacy-policy) - [Accessibility and Non Discrimination](https://www.merrillgardens.com/accessibility-statement) - [Do Not Share My Personal Information/Limit the Use or Disclosure of My Sensitive Personal Information](https://conversionlogix.com/ccpa-opt-out/) Copyright © 2026 Merrill Gardens [Equal Opportunity Housing](https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp)