Five Questions You Should Ask on a Community Tour — and One You Shouldn’t - Philadelphia Protestant Home
Independent Living Phone: 215-697-8086 Personal Care Phone: 215-697-8031 Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Phone: 215-697-8005
General Inquiries: (215) 697-8000
- View All Phone Numbers -

Five Questions You Should Ask on a Community Tour — and One You Shouldn’t

Posted on: Dec 21, 2020

Out of concern for resident and visitor safety, many senior living communities, including PPH, are not currently open for tours. But we’re hoping that you’ll be able to visit again soon, especially since vaccines for COVID-19 are on the horizon. When you’re able to tour communities again, we hope these questions will come in handy.

  1. May I have a meal here? We put this question first because for many residents, the dining program can make or break their experience with community life. It’s important not to just ask, “Is the food good?” but if possible, to try it for yourself. You aren’t going to get a clear picture of the dining options until you actually have one (or more) meals at the community. At PPH, we offer four different dining venues, from formal to casual, including The Bistro@6500, Main at Martins Mill, The Café and Scoops. Residents and guests can select from multiple chef-crafted entrees, fresh-made soups, salads, desserts and more. We also accommodate special dietary needs and preferences. We can’t wait to open up again so you can get a taste of the delicious cuisine at PPH!
  2. Can I speak with a resident? Of course, it’s helpful to glean information from staff members during a tour or visit, but in order to get a true feel for life at a community, it’s also a good idea to speak with actual residents and get their take on their experience. In these times of social distancing, you may need to have that one-to-one visit on a phone call or during a virtual Q & A, but it’s crucial to get your questions answered from the people who know the community best: its residents.
  3. May I view an apartment similar to the one I will live in? If you’re seeing a model apartment that’s a different size or has different amenities than the one that will be available, that’s valuable to know. You’ll also want to ask if the apartment will be furnished or whether you’ll be able to bring your own furniture and belongings.
  4. What safety procedures do you have in place? During these challenging times, that question is especially important. Although you will most likey be visiting after campuses have opened up, you’ll want to know how the community will be handling any future possible health crises down the road.
  5. Can I see a copy of your most recent activities calendar? You may hear about the enriching wellness classes and social events held at the community, but seeing what’s actually offered on a regular basis will give you concrete information about what life at the community is truly like. You’ll also want to tour the fitness center, pool, art studio, woodshop and other common areas to make sure that amenities are up-to-date and that you’ll have plenty of stimulating opportunities to engage with other residents

Finally, one question you won’t want to ask immediately is, “Where do I sign?” If you are enthusiastic about your experience at the community, it may be tempting to make a commitment on the spot. But it’s always a good to take any paperwork home and give it a thorough going over, possibly showing it to family members as well.

These are just a few of the things you might want to ask on your visits. For a more complete list of questions as well as advice for a productive tour, please watch our video: Top Ten Questions to Ask When Visiting a Community. We hope these tips have been helpful, and we look forward to seeing you back at our community soon!

What Residents Say

"In my nine years at PPH, I’ve grown to like it very much. At first, I felt like a stranger and then as I began to talk to people, we increasingly became good friends. A way to meet people is to join clubs. I’m now part of the PPH Auxiliary. I love helping with their flea markets because you never know what you can find. Recently, I’ve joined an evening quilting class. I love that I can continue to enjoy my life outside of PPH while experiencing the offers here.…especially the pool! Everything is just so convenient.

– Lucille Hite, Independent Living resident

What Families Say

"My mom is sooo happy at PPH, I can’t even describe it in strong enough words. She’s met so many new friends and these ladies do EVERYTHING together! She sees Dad every day in Pathways, but can have her life too. She’s gone to so many activities and I think I’ve already been to Scoops with her at least 15 times. She loves the dining room and Bistro too. My sister, Ilene, and I are so delighted that Mom is happy.......Wow, it feels like Mom’s been there about 2 years—but it’s only 2 months!! That’s how comfortable and natural it feels for her – and for all of us.

– Rhonda Frenkel, daughter of resident Bernice Segal

Philadelphia Protestant Home