Residence tour checklist and comparison planner
Compare what matters to you—not just the brochure. Use this planner before a visit, during conversations with staff, and when your family compares the options afterwards.
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Start with the person, not a vacancy
Write down the person’s priorities before touring: familiar surroundings, independence, language, food, visiting arrangements and the activities that make a day feel worthwhile. Invite them into the decision as much as they wish. Separate essential needs from preferences, and identify what would make an option unsuitable. Do not put detailed medical records in this planner.
Compare the same questions at every residence
Ask each residence about the same needs and request written information. Retirement homes and long-term care homes are different types of housing and care; their access, oversight, services and costs are not interchangeable. A pleasant tour is not confirmation that a home can provide the support someone needs. Ask who assesses those needs and how the care plan would change if needs increase.
Look beyond the advertised monthly price
Ask for a written breakdown of accommodation, included services, extra care charges, deposits, notice periods and refund terms. Confirm which prices are estimates, how increases are handled and who can explain the agreement. Record the date of each quote. A lower starting price may not cover the same services as another residence.
Observe everyday life
With the residence’s permission, see the dining room, common spaces and the type of room being considered. Ask how people request help, how emergencies are handled and what staffing is available at different times. Notice accessibility, noise, privacy and whether residents have meaningful choices. Ask about complaints, family communication and visiting arrangements.
Check, reflect and follow up
Use the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority’s public information for Ontario retirement homes, including licensing and inspection information where available. Use Ontario’s separate long-term care resources for that sector. After each tour, record facts separately from impressions. Leave unanswered questions open rather than guessing. Compare the options with the person involved and the relevant care professionals; this worksheet does not recommend or certify a residence.
Sources and scope
Original planning guidance. Source links checked November 3, 2026. Ontario-focused; confirm current requirements with the relevant authority or professional.
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