Touring a Care Facility?

10 Red Flags You Can’t Afford to Ignore

Visiting a care facility can feel reassuring at first — polished floors, friendly staff, fresh paint. But a beautiful lobby doesn’t guarantee quality care.

This guide gives you 10 warning signs to watch for when touring assisted living, memory care, or nursing homes.

1. High Staff Turnover

Ask: “How long have your caregivers worked here?”

Constant turnover is a sign of burnout, underpayment, or poor management — all of which affect your loved one’s care.

2. Residents Look Unengaged

Look for: People sitting alone in silence or slumped in wheelchairs.

Quality facilities promote stimulation, dignity, and daily activity — not sedation and isolation.

3. Lack of Scent or Too Much Scent

Smell matters. A light disinfectant scent is okay. Overwhelming air fresheners or masking sprays may be hiding something.

Urine, mold, or food waste odors are warning signs of poor cleanliness or infection control.

4. Staff Don’t Know Residents by Name

Observe: Do caregivers refer to residents by name or say “room 7”?

Staff should have personal relationships with residents, not treat them like room numbers.

5. Families Don’t Visit

Try this: Ask a visiting family member what they think.

If no families are visiting and residents seem lonely or withdrawn, this may be a sign of poor family engagement or hidden concerns.

6. Delayed or Vague Answers

Ask: “What’s the current staff-to-resident ratio?” or “How are care plans updated?”

If staff are hesitant, vague, or change the subject, it may mean they don’t want you to dig deeper.

7. Empty Activity Calendar

Check the bulletin board or ask: “What activities happened this week?”

Facilities often showcase calendars, but if you don’t see actual participation, it may just be for show.

8. Medication Errors or Falls Aren’t Disclosed

Ask directly: “How do you report falls or medication errors to families?”

A trustworthy facility will be transparent about how they handle mistakes — not try to hide them.

9. Rooms or Bathrooms Are Dirty

Look behind the bed, under furniture, or in corners.

A facility that cuts corners on cleaning may also be neglecting care protocols.

10. Gut Feeling — Something Feels Off

Trust your instincts.

If something feels off — even if you can’t explain it — ask more questions. You are your loved one’s best advocate.

Pro Tip: Ask These Questions During the Tour

  • What is your staff-to-resident ratio on each shift?

  • What is your staff retention rate?

  • How do you handle dementia-related behaviors?

  • How are families notified about changes in condition?

  • What happens if we run out of money and need to transition to Medicaid?