Looking Beyond the Lobby to Find the Right Care
Armed with these 5 Essential Questions for Your Memory Care Tour, you are now ready to look beyond the lobby and assess what truly matters for a loved one living with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Finding the right environment requires digging deeper into safety protocols, clinical oversight, and the daily reality of care. Use this list to ask the hard questions and find a home that prioritizes understanding and supporting your family member over simple accommodation.
When you tour, don’t be afraid to ask these five tough questions:
- “What is your actual staff-to-resident ratio during the night?” Many large facilities boast great daytime ratios but drop to 1:20 or higher once the sun goes
down. At Assisted Living on Broadway, our 1:6 ratio is our standard because we know that confusion and needs don’t stop at 8:00 PM.
- “Does a clinician or a business manager oversee the daily operations?” You want to know that the person in charge understands the difference between
a behavioral outburst and a medical issue. Having an RN owner means that clinical eyes are on every resident, every day.
- “How do you handle ‘Sundowning’ without over-medication?” Ask if they use environmental cues, soft lighting, or one-on-one engagement. A boutique
home can offer a calm, quiet atmosphere that naturally reduces the agitation often triggered by the “busy” feel of a large institution.
- “Can I see the kitchen and meet the person cooking the meals?” Nutrition is a pillar of health. Ask if meals are mass-produced or made from scratch. In our community, Rose’s culinary background ensures that food is both a medical priority and a daily joy.
- “How is the floor plan designed to reduce confusion?” Long, identical hallways are a nightmare for someone with memory loss. Look for a circular or open-concept layout where the “hub” of the home is always in sight.
Ultimately, the right memory care community isn’t defined by its architecture, but by the people inside it. Don’t settle for answers that only sound good in a brochure. At Assisted Living on Broadway, our RN-ownership and 1:6 staffing ratio aren’t just policies—they are our promise to you that your loved one will be seen, heard, and cared for at all times. Contact us today to schedule your visit, so we can answer the 5 Essential Questions for Your Memory Care. And experience the peace of mind that comes from choosing a home built on clinical expertise and genuine connection.