Families often rely on tours and impressions. But the right facility decision comes from asking precise, practical questions. Here’s a checklist you can use immediately — print it or carry it on your visit.

Core operational questions

1. What is included in the monthly fee? Ask for a detailed breakdown: room rent, meals, utilities, housekeeping, nursing, activities, and extras like physiotherapy or transport.
   
   

2. What deposit is required and is it refundable? Understand conditions for refund and timelines.
   
   

3. How do you handle increases in fees? Ask for typical annual increases and whether they’re capped.
   
   

4. What is the staff-to-resident ratio? Ratio matters for timely care. Also ask about night staffing levels.
   
   

5. What are the staff qualifications and turnover? Permanent staff with training in geriatric care is a strong signal. High turnover usually means inconsistent care.
   
   

6. How do you manage medication? Check administration, documentation and who is responsible for prescription changes.
   
   

7. What emergency procedures are in place? Is there an on-call doctor, ambulance partnership, or hospital transfer protocol?
   
   

8. Are there registered nurses on site? Unsure? Ask for schedules and response time targets.
   
   

9. How are falls and incidents recorded and communicated? Ensure there is a formal incident log and family notification policy.

Care & clinical questions

10. Do you have a written care plan for each resident? Individualised plans should be created on admission and reviewed regularly.

11. How do you support dementia or memory-impaired residents? Look for trained staff, secure environments and behavioural support strategies.

12. Do you provide physiotherapy, occupational therapy or dietician services? Check availability and whether sessions are in-house or external.

Daily life & fit

13. What activities are scheduled and how is participation encouraged? Activities should be meaningful and varied.

14. Can residents choose mealtimes and special dietary requests? Ask for sample menus and flexibility for cultural foods.

15. How are families involved? Regular updates, family meetings, and a transparent grievance process matters.

Transparency & trust

16. Can I speak to current residents or family members? Direct references give practical insight.

17. Are there independent inspection reports or licences you can share? Check any state-level health or welfare registrations.

18. How are complaints handled and what’s the escalation process? Look for written redressal timelines.

Financial & legal

19. What happens if the resident requires a higher level of care? Will they be moved; is there a rehab-to-nursing escalation?

20. Can I review the contract in advance? Don’t sign on the spot — request a copy to review legally.

How to use these questions

• Prioritise the top five that matter most for your loved one.
  
  

• Record answers and compare across 3–5 shortlisted homes.
  
  

• Use Nirvala’s standardised evaluator to compare apples-to-apples.
  
  

Closing note Clear questions create clear answers. The difference between a good placement and a regrettable one often lies in how deep families probe operations, accountability and daily life.