What to Ask During a Senior Living Tour: A Complete Guide for Families in Cherry Hill, Voorhees & Collingswood, NJ
Choosing a senior living community is one of the most important decisions a family will make. Whether you're exploring communities in Cherry Hill, comparing assisted living options in Voorhees, or looking at memory care communities near Collingswood, a tour is your best opportunity to see what life would really be like for your loved one.
But tours can also feel overwhelming. There’s a lot to take in — dining, staffing, activities, safety, medical support, costs, and daily living routines. Families often leave a tour thinking, “I wish I asked more questions.”
This guide will walk you through exactly what to ask, what to look for, and how to compare different senior living communities in Southern New Jersey. Whether you're evaluating assisted living or memory care, these questions will help you make a confident, informed decision.
1. Questions About Care & Support
Who will be providing daily care, and what are their qualifications?
Ask what types of certifications the care staff holds. Ask whether caregivers are Certified Home Health Aides (CHHAs) or Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and what the difference is. Ask if the community uses any “agency” staff. This is staff that is essentially contracted to assist when a community does not have enough staff of its own.
What is the staff-to-resident ratio, and does it change on evenings or weekends?
This is one of your most important questions. Ratios often shift after business hours, and you want to know how many caregivers are available when your loved one needs help at night.
How does the community assess new residents?
Ask who completes the assessment (usually the Director of Nursing) and how they determine a resident’s care level. This matters for both safety and cost, especially if your loved one has mobility challenges or dementia.
What happens if your loved one’s care needs increase?
A community might be a perfect fit today, but what about two years from now? Find out what additional care they can (and cannot) provide on-site.
2. Questions About Medical & Health Services
How does the onsite staffing change during off hours?
If night-time medical support is important, ask directly how the staffing looks on overnight shifts vs during the day.
How are medications managed?
Ask if medication administration is included in the monthly rate or billed separately. Also ask how they handle missed doses, new prescriptions, and communication with physicians.
What is the procedure for medical emergencies?
You want reassurance that staff respond quickly and appropriately. Ask the community to talk to you about their electronic call systems, wearable devices, or room-based alerts.
Do they coordinate with local hospitals and physicians in Cherry Hill, Voorhees, and Collingswood?
Many communities partner with Jefferson Health, Virtua, or local primary care groups. These partnerships can streamline care.
3. Living Spaces, Rooms & Environment
What floor plans are available?
Request to see all room types — studios, one-bedrooms, shared suites. A room shown on tour may not be the room offered upon move-in.
What is included in the monthly fee?
Always clarify what’s included versus what’s an add-on. Here are some services to ask about:
Meals
Housekeeping
Basic utilities
Activities
Medication administration
Higher levels of personal care
Transportation for errands
Transportation to doctors appointments
How much personalization does the community allow within the residents rooms?
Bringing familiar items from home can make the transition easier.
Is the community clean, well-lit, and odor-free?
Trust your senses. Cleanliness shows good attention to the basics.
4. Dining Experience & Nutrition
Families in Cherry Hill and Collingswood often say dining is one of the top decision factors.
Ask to see the menu.
Is it posted clearly? Are there multiple entrée options? Are meals nutritious and appealing?
Can your loved one sample a meal?
Many communities will offer a complimentary dining experience during the tour. Take advantage of it.
Do they accommodate dietary needs?
Important questions:
Are low-sodium meals available?
Can they accommodate diabetics?
Are there options for vegetarian, kosher-style, or other preferences?
How to they handle residents that require “thick” liquids?
How is the dining room staffed?
Residents with mobility challenges or cognitive changes may need help choosing or eating meals — make sure support is available.
5. Activities, Engagement & Lifestyle
One of the best ways to evaluate a senior living community is to look at resident engagement.
What does a typical day look like?
Ask for the monthly activity calendar and compare it with what you observe during the tour. Are people actually participating?
Speak with the activities team whenever possible
Communities in Voorhees and Cherry Hill do a great job with having robust life enrichment teams. Talk to those personnel directly on your tour about how they approach resident engagement.
Do they offer outings into the community?
Local outings might include trips to:
Voorhees Town Center
Collingswood Farmers Market
Cherry Hill Mall
Local parks, events, and restaurants
Are activities customized to residents’ interests and cognitive levels?
This is a GREAT way to get insight to the quality of activities. Ask how they engage residents who are introverted or living with dementia.
6. Safety & Security
What safety systems are in place?
Key things to look for:
Does the community have a memory care neighborhood?
Does the community have a “wander guard” system.
How do they secure entrances during off hours?
How do they prevent falls?
Falls are one of the biggest safety issue in senior living. Ask about how they track falls and what systems they have in place to improve fall metrics.
PRO TIP: Does the community have an “interdisciplinary team meeting”? This is a weekly meeting typically ran by the Director of Nursing weekly which includes a representative from all medical teams onsite (i.e. physician team representative, therapy representative, caregivers, etc). This is where they review as a group any resident concerns week to week and how to handle them. Not all communities have this but this is a MASSIVE PLUS
What is the community’s plan for evacuations or severe weather?
This is especially relevant in South Jersey, where storms can affect the region.
7. Memory Care-Specific Questions (If Applicable)
If you're touring memory care communities in Cherry Hill, Voorhees, or Collingswood, ask:
What dementia training do caregivers receive?
Quality memory care communities train staff consistently in dementia communication and behavior support.
How do they prevent exit-seeking or wandering?
Doors should be secured and monitored 24/7.
Is the environment structured?
Look for small group activities, quiet spaces, and routines that reduce overstimulation.
How are behavioral changes handled?
How does the community balance pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions?
8. Finances & Contracts
What is the total monthly cost — including care levels?
Break down:
Base rate
Level of care charge
Medication fees
Incontinence supplies
Transportation
Laundry
How often do rates increase?
Most communities implement annual increases.
Is there a community fee?
Some communities charge a one-time fee upon move-in.
What is the policy for early move-outs?
If care needs increase, how does that impact pricing?
A resident who starts in Level 1 care may gradually move to Levels 2–4, depending on the community.
What is the “spend down” and is there flexibility?
9. Staff Culture & Turnover
This is often overlooked — but incredibly important.
How long has the management team been in place?
Stable leadership often means a stable community.
What is the caregiver turnover rate?
High turnover can impact resident care, safety, and consistency.
10. Observations to Make During the Tour
Beyond asking questions, pay attention to:
Do staff seem rushed or relaxed?
Are residents engaged?
Are common areas clean and inviting?
Does the community feel cheerful or chaotic?
11. After the Tour: How to Compare Communities
In Southern NJ, families often tour communities across Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Collingswood, Haddonfield, and Marlton. After your tour:
Create a comparison chart
Include:
Care quality
Pricing
Dining
Engagement
Staff
Safety
Gut feeling
Schedule a second visit at a different time of day
This will give you perspective
Final Thoughts: Making the Right Choice in Southern New Jersey
Touring senior living communities can feel like a lot to process, but the right questions can make all the difference. Whether you’re exploring assisted living in Cherry Hill, memory care in Voorhees, or supportive options near Collingswood, your goal is to find a community that feels safe, compassionate, and aligned with your loved one’s needs.
If you want help comparing communities, reviewing pricing, or booking tours, we can guide you through the entire process at no cost to your family.
Just reach out — we are here to help make this transition smoother, safer, and less stressful.
