Referring to online reviews of an assisted living facility is a great way to read what other people like or dislike about a place. Reviews can include opinions on the facility itself, the staff, food, amenities and any aspect of care. Keep in mind that these are the writer’s own opinions and experiences, and may not be your experiences; however, if you see the same complaint over and over again, it may be worth investigating. It is best to keep these reviews in mind as you make your own inspections and opinions about a facility in which you are interested.

If you know someone who used to work at the assisted living facilities you’re researching, ask them about their experiences there. Did they like working there? Why did they leave? What was the working environment like? In their opinion, how were the residents treated? Were the residents happy and well-cared for? What problems did they see, and what would they change if they could? Finally, would they recommend that facility for your loved one?

All assisted living facilities will offer a tour of the facility when you come in. Take this a step further and ask to speak to some of the residents and ask for referrals to a couple of former residents. Question From them, you will learn a lot about the true experience of a stay there. Ask these people about their experiences, and don’t hesitate to ask how do/did they feel about living there. Do/did they like it? Would they refer a loved one to the same place? How is the food and nursing care? Are there enough activities to keep one active? How do they handle an emergency? You will surely have questions of your own as well.

Many people are referred to an assisted living facility by their nurse or physician. These professionals often know the inside scoop about a particular facility, so ask them what they think. Ask also if they know of any problems, or have recommendations on questions to ask or things to look for during your visit. Ask if they have referred other patients there, and if they have received any feedback from those individuals.

Bad news travels fast, so if there has been a problem or an issue at the assisted living facility you’re investigating, it will likely have made the news. Use an Internet search, like Google, and enter the name of the facility enclosed by quotation marks (e.g. “Green Valley Commons”). Scroll down through several pages to see if any news stories pop up on the feed. You can also refer to your local newspaper or media outlet and put the name of the facility into the Search bar. Any references to the facility will pop up.