Your Assisted Living Tour Checklist for Princeton, WV

Published November 9, 2026 by GlenWood Park

Infographic for families in Princeton about tour, using government benefit figures and local planning steps — A planning graphic for Princeton families. Dollar figures shown are government benefit maximums or are omitted when no official local rate exists.

A tour is the best way to learn whether an assisted living community is right for your parent. But tours can be overwhelming, and it is easy to leave without asking the questions that matter most. This checklist is designed for Princeton and Mercer County families. Print it, bring it on each visit, and take notes so you can compare communities later.

Before you go

Write down your parent's needs, including medications, mobility, memory, and health conditions.
Call ahead to schedule a tour, and ask whether you can stay for a meal.
Bring your parent if possible, along with another family member to take notes.

First impressions

[ ] Is the entrance easy to find and accessible?
[ ] Were you greeted warmly?
[ ] Is the building clean, bright, and free of strong odors?
[ ] Are hallways clear of clutter, with handrails?
[ ] Do residents look well cared for?
[ ] Do staff greet residents by name?

Care and staffing

[ ] How do you assess a new resident's needs, and how often do you reassess?
[ ] How many staff are on duty during the day, evening, and overnight?
[ ] Is a nurse on staff, and when?
[ ] How are medications managed and recorded?
[ ] How do you handle falls and medical emergencies?
[ ] Which hospital do you use?
[ ] What training do staff receive, including dementia care?
[ ] What is staff turnover like?

West Virginia law limits assisted living nursing care to limited and intermittent care, generally no more than two hours a day for no more than 90 consecutive days per episode, with exceptions for hospice and Medicare-certified home health (W. Va. Code § 16B-5-2). Ask how the community handles care needs that go beyond this.

Licensing and inspections

[ ] Ask to see the community's license from West Virginia's Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification (OHFLAC).
[ ] Ask for the results of the most recent state survey and how any deficiencies were corrected.
[ ] If memory care is offered, ask how it is licensed.

Our guide to West Virginia assisted living licensing explains what these terms mean.

Rooms and apartments

[ ] What room sizes and layouts are available?
[ ] Are rooms private or shared?
[ ] Is there a private bathroom with grab bars and a walk-in shower?
[ ] Can residents bring their own furniture?
[ ] Is there an emergency call system?
[ ] How are heating and cooling controlled?

Meals and dining

[ ] Ask to see a weekly menu.
[ ] Are special diets accommodated, such as diabetic or low-sodium?
[ ] Are snacks available between meals?
[ ] Can residents eat in their rooms when ill?
[ ] Stay for a meal if you can, and notice the food and the atmosphere.

Daily life and activities

[ ] Ask to see the activity calendar.
[ ] Are there outings, exercise classes, music, and faith services?
[ ] Is there outdoor space residents can use safely?
[ ] Are there spaces such as a library, chapel, or salon?
[ ] Is transportation available for appointments, shopping, and church?

Safety

[ ] How do you prevent and respond to wandering?
[ ] What is your emergency plan for winter storms, power outages, and flooding?
[ ] Is there a backup generator?
[ ] How are visitors managed?

Costs and contracts

[ ] What is the monthly rate for each room type?
[ ] How are care levels priced?
[ ] What is included, and what costs extra?
[ ] Are there move-in or community fees?
[ ] How much notice do you give before raising rates?
[ ] What happens if my parent's savings run out?
[ ] Under what conditions might a resident be asked to move?

Because West Virginia Medicaid does not have an assisted living waiver, most residents pay privately; see our guide to paying for assisted living in West Virginia.

Bringing your parent along

If your parent comes on the tour, let them set the pace. Plan breaks, and do not try to see everything in one visit. Ask your parent what they noticed and liked, and take their impressions seriously. Some families find a short first visit, such as lunch, is easier than a full tour.

Communication with families

[ ] How will you contact us if something changes?
[ ] Is there a regular care plan meeting?
[ ] Who is our main contact?
[ ] Are visiting hours flexible?

For memory care tours

If your parent is living with dementia, add these questions:

[ ] How are exits secured, and how do you respond if someone tries to leave?
[ ] How are staff trained to calm agitation without medication when possible?
[ ] What does a typical day look like for residents?
[ ] How do you help residents who have trouble eating or communicating?

Our guide to assisted living versus memory care in Princeton explains the differences.

Watching the details

Small details often say the most. Notice whether call lights are answered promptly, whether residents are dressed and groomed, and whether staff knock before entering rooms. Look at the bulletin board for recent activities, and check whether the outdoor spaces are actually used. Listen to the tone of conversations in the hallways.

After the tour

Write down your impressions while they are fresh. Compare notes with family. Visit your top choice again at a different time of day, such as an evening or a weekend, and without an appointment if the community allows it. Trust your instincts about how the community feels.

Questions to ask yourself

After each visit, step back and ask a few simple questions. Could you picture your parent living here? Did staff seem patient and kind, including when they did not know you were watching? Did residents seem comfortable? Would your parent be able to keep doing the things that matter most to them, such as attending church, seeing friends, or spending time outdoors? Your answers to these questions often matter as much as any detail on the checklist.

Local help

If you have concerns about any facility, the long-term care ombudsman program, operated by Legal Aid of West Virginia, offers free, confidential advice at 800-834-0598 (Legal Aid of WV ombudsman program). The Aging and Disability Resource Center in Princeton, (304) 425-2040, can help you learn about other options (West Virginia ADRC).

Tour GlenWood Park

GlenWood Park is at 1924 Glenwood Park Road in Princeton. You can preview spaces such as our dining rooms, library, chapel, and courtyards in our gallery, learn about amenities, and call (304) 425-8128 to schedule a visit and confirm current services.

Second planning graphic for Princeton families: a checklist or comparison related to tour — Additional planning notes for families considering care in Princeton.

Frequently asked questions

What should I look for when touring assisted living?

Look at cleanliness, how staff interact with residents, the quality of meals, safety features, and whether residents seem engaged. Ask about staffing, care, costs, and licensing.

How many times should I visit a community?

At least twice, at different times of day. A meal visit is especially useful.

What should I ask about costs?

Ask about monthly rates, care level charges, what is included, extra fees, and how much notice is given before rate increases.

How do I check a West Virginia assisted living community's license?

Ask the community for its license and recent survey results. Assisted living residences are licensed by the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification.