Tour sheet

Bring this on the tour.

A nursing-home decision is made by walking the building, not by a phone call. Print this page and carry it with you — ask the questions in your own words, and mark anything that needs follow-up after you leave.

Tour progress0 of 8 covered

0 of 8Answers are not used to create a hidden provider score.

Notes stay on this device only — nothing is sent anywhere, and there is no account or sync.

Before you call to book

Hello, I’m looking at Orinda Care Center, LLC for a family member and would like to schedule an in-person tour. Could I also see the building at a time other than a scheduled event, like a regular weekday?

Ask for a tour time that is NOT during a meal, an activity, or a scheduled event — those are staged moments, not a normal day.

On the tour

01Staffing and response

What is the staff-to-resident ratio overnight and on weekends, not just on a weekday afternoon?

A tour happens on a good shift by definition. Ask specifically who is on the floor at 2 a.m. and on a Sunday.

How long does it typically take for someone to respond to a call light, and how is that tracked?

Ask for a number, not a reassurance. Some facilities can show you actual response-time data if you ask.

02Care over time

If my relative's care needs increase, do you keep them here with adjusted care, or discharge them elsewhere?

Get this in writing if possible — a verbal "we handle everything" is not a policy.

What physical and occupational therapy is available, how often, and is speech therapy included?

Ask whether therapy is in-house staff or a contracted visiting service, since that affects scheduling.

Under what circumstances can a resident be discharged or transferred against the family's wishes?

Federal law limits involuntary discharge to specific reasons — ask the facility to name them, not just say it won't happen.

03Daily life and cost

What choices does a resident actually have at mealtimes, and how are activities planned day to day?

Ask to see a posted activities calendar and a sample menu, not just hear a description.

What are the visiting hours and rules, and are there any restrictions on when family can drop in unannounced?

Fewer restrictions and easier unannounced visits are generally a good sign for a family that wants to check in.

What is the full monthly cost, what does it include, and under what circumstances would that price change?

Ask for a written rate sheet and how often the care plan is reviewed, and whether family can attend that review.

Who showed you around?

NameRole or titleDate of tourCallback number