Assisted Living and Memory Care Tour Pack

Touring assisted living or memory care is emotional, and every community looks lovely on a sunny afternoon. After the third tour, families often cannot remember which place had the staffing answer they liked or the fee that surprised them.

This pack gives you the same questions and the same walk-through sheet at every visit, then a grid to compare two or three communities at the kitchen table that evening. Assisted living is licensed and regulated by each state, so it also points you to free official help for checking a community.

Who it is for

• Adult children and spouses touring assisted living or memory care
• Siblings who want everyone comparing the same facts
• Families deciding between assisted living, memory care, and staying home with help

What's inside

• Is a tour the next step?. A simple path map comparing touring now with home care or waiting, so you start in the right place.
• Questions to ask cheat sheet. Licensing, staffing, safety, fees, and communication questions to bring to every tour.
• Walk-through observation sheet. One sheet per community for what you see, hear, and notice. Print one for each visit.
• Compare grid. Two or three communities side by side: fees, staffing, gut score, and a family vote.
• Costs, fit, and policies. Cost staging blanks, memory care vs assisted living notes, and pet and visitor policies.
• Decision, scripts, and resources. Next steps checklist, gentle scripts for booking tours and family talks, and free official resources.

How to use it

1. Print it and choose one family member to keep the master copy.
2. Bring the questions page to every tour and fill in a fresh walk-through sheet at each community.
3. Update the compare grid the same evening, while details are fresh.
4. Review costs and fit together before anyone pays a deposit.

What it is not

• Not medical, legal, insurance, financial, or placement advice.
• Not a contract review. Read every agreement carefully and confirm licensing with your state.

Free official resources we recommend

• Eldercare Locator: find your local Area Agency on Aging
• NIA: Assisted living and nursing homes
• Congressional Research Service: Overview of Assisted Living Facilities
• Medicare.gov: Long-term care coverage

Frequently asked questions

What questions should I ask when touring assisted living?

Ask how the community is licensed, how many staff are on duty during the day and at night, what happens in a medical emergency, what is included in the monthly fee and what costs extra, how fees rise over time, and how the staff will keep your family updated. Ask the same questions at every tour.

Read our guide to caring for an aging parent

Who regulates assisted living?

Assisted living is licensed and regulated by each state, not by one federal standard. The Congressional Research Service notes that, unlike nursing homes, there are no federal minimum quality or staffing standards for assisted living. That is why rules, names, and inspections vary so much from one state to the next.

Does Medicare pay for assisted living?

Generally no. Medicare.gov says Medicare does not pay for long-term care, also called custodial care, which includes help with daily tasks like bathing and dressing. Families usually pay for assisted living privately, with long-term care insurance, or in some states through Medicaid programs. Confirm your options with your state.

Is the Assisted Living and Memory Care Tour Pack a physical product?

No. The Assisted Living and Memory Care Tour Pack is a digital PDF download (12 pages, US Letter size). Nothing is shipped to you. After you buy on Etsy or Gumroad, your download is ready right away. You print it at home or at a copy shop and keep it in a binder or folder.

Can I type into the PDF or do I fill it in by hand?

You fill it in by hand. Our kits are print-and-write PDFs with large, roomy lines, not fillable forms. Many families find that writing by hand at the kitchen table is faster and easier to share. Print in color or black and white, at 100% (Actual Size) on US Letter paper.

How do I download my file after buying on Etsy or Gumroad?

On Etsy, sign in on Etsy.com, open You, then Purchases, and choose Download Files. On Gumroad, click the link in your receipt email or open your Library on gumroad.com. A computer browser is usually easiest for PDFs. If anything will not open, message us and we will help.

Can I print more than one copy for my family?

Yes. You can print as many copies as your own household needs, for example a spare for the fridge, the car, or a family member who helps out. The file is for personal and family use, so please do not resell it, share it publicly, or hand out copies to other households.

Please note: This printable is an organizational and educational tool for family caregivers only. It is not medical, legal, insurance, financial, or placement advice, and it does not replace your loved one's doctors, the hospital's discharge papers, or professional care. Rules and coverage vary by state and plan, so confirm them on the official sites linked here. In an emergency, call 911.

Helpful free guides

• Caring for an Aging Parent: Hospital discharge, dementia care notes, and touring assisted living, one calm step at a time.
• Hospital Discharge Go Sheet: The short sheet to fill in when the hospital calls to say your parent is going home today.
• Dementia Behavior Tracker: Turn a blur of hard days into clear notes the doctor can actually use.
• Caring for an Aging Parent: start here