Tour Checklist
Questions to Ask During an Assisted Living Tour
A great tour is your best tool for choosing the right community. Bring these questions to every visit — they reveal quality, safety, and the true monthly cost behind the brochure.
Reviewed by Pine Lodge Administrator, Licensed Assisted Living Administrator · Last updated June 2026
Direct answer: The questions that matter most fall into five areas — licensing & staffing, care & health, daily life, cost & contract, and safety. Ask the same set at every community you tour and get pricing in writing so you can compare fairly.
Licensing & staffing
- Are you licensed by Texas HHSC, and are you a Type A or Type B community?
- What is your staff-to-resident ratio during the day and overnight?
- Is a licensed nurse on staff or on call, and when?
- How are caregivers trained, and what is your staff turnover?
Care & health
- How do you assess a resident's care level, and how often is it reviewed?
- Who manages and administers medications?
- How do you handle a change in condition or a medical emergency?
- What happens if my loved one's care needs exceed what you can provide?
Daily life
- May I see a sample weekly activity calendar and a menu?
- Can you accommodate special diets and food preferences?
- What are the visiting hours and policies for family?
- How do you help new residents adjust in the first weeks?
Cost & contract
- What does the base rent include, in writing?
- How much does each care level cost, and what triggers a change?
- Is there a community/move-in fee, deposit, or second-occupant fee?
- How often do rates increase, and how much notice do families get?
Safety & environment
- What emergency call and monitoring systems are in each room?
- How are entrances secured, and what is the evacuation plan?
- May I visit common areas, dining, and a resident room today?
- How do you communicate health updates to families?
Ready to compare communities the right way? Pair this list with our how to choose an assisted living facility guide and our Texas cost guide.
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How to Choose an Assisted Living Facility in Texas
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Read the guideHow Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Texas?
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Read the guideAssisted Living in Henderson, TX
Tour Pine Lodge, our care services, and local East Texas information.
Read the guideBring your questions to Pine Lodge
Schedule a tour and we'll answer every one — in plain language, with pricing in writing.
Reviewed by Pine Lodge Administrator
Licensed Assisted Living Administrator · Last updated June 2026
Our guides are reviewed by the Pine Lodge administrative team, who operate a Texas HHSC-licensed assisted living community in Henderson and work with local families every day on care assessments, pricing, move-in planning, respite stays, and urgent placement.
About this guide
This guide is provided for general educational purposes to help Texas families plan for assisted living. Pricing examples are illustrative and vary by care needs, room type, and services; contact Pine Lodge for a current, personalized quote. Nothing here is legal, financial, or medical advice. Licensing and regulatory details reference the Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 247 and Texas Administrative Code Title 26, Part I, Chapter 553, administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC); consult HHSC directly for the most current requirements.