Memory Care Community Checklist: A Guide for Families

This guide offers a detailed memory care community checklist to help families evaluate key aspects of dementia care communities, from staffing and safety to person-centered care and resident engagement. By understanding what matters most—and what warning signs to watch for—you can make a more informed, confident choice.

Why a Memory Care Community Checklist Matters

Choosing a dementia care community isn’t just about location or amenities. It’s about trust, safety, and knowing your loved one will be seen as a whole person, not just a diagnosis.

A checklist helps:

Clarify priorities during facility tours
Ensure consistency across multiple visits
Highlight dementia care quality indicators you might otherwise overlook
Facilitate conversations with staff and family

Evaluating Memory Care Centers: Understanding What to Look For

A great memory care community looks inviting and operates with intentional practices, trained staff, and respect for each resident’s individuality.

The memory care community checklist below is organized into categories designed to help you evaluate each community based on critical dementia care quality indicators.

Physical Environment

The physical layout of a memory care center can either support or hinder a resident’s safety and independence. Small design details make a big difference for someone living with cognitive impairment.

Look For:

Features in the environment created by or with input from residents
Effective signage that encourages independence
Floors free of confusing patterns that may cause visual disorientation
Clearly labeled doors that are personalized for residents

These elements demonstrate thoughtful planning and a commitment to dignity. A resident who can find their own room or safely navigate to common areas is more likely to retain autonomy and reduce stress.

Social Environment

Isolation is a risk for individuals living with dementia. A vibrant community life supports emotional well-being and cognitive engagement.

Look For:

Resident involvement in planning events and outings
Resident-led committees and leadership roles
Staff who know residents personally and wear name tags
Warm, casual interactions between residents and staff

These social features reflect a respectful, relationship-based culture—one that encourages continued participation in community life.

Care Practices

High-quality dementia care should be safe, skilled, and tailored to the individual. Make sure the community follows best practices in caregiving.

Look For:

24/7 nursing staff on-site
Care team members employed directly by the organization (not just agency staff)
Dementia-specific staff training
Use of non-pharmacological interventions before resorting to medication for behavioral symptoms

When staff are well-trained and familiar with each resident, care becomes more consistent, respectful, and effective.

Person-Centered Care

A true hallmark of excellence in memory care is a focus on the individual, including their past, preferences, and potential. Personalized care should never be one-size-fits-all.

Look For:

A structured system for learning and documenting each resident’s life story
Staff accessibility to this information during daily care
Emphasis on maintaining independence, offering only as much support as needed
Ample choices in food, routines, and care preferences

These practices respect each person’s dignity and reinforce their identity.

Resident Engagement

Engagement should go beyond passive entertainment. Activities should be meaningful, purposeful, and accessible at different levels of cognitive ability.

Look For:

Opportunities for individual engagement outside group programming
Access to animals, nature, and the broader community
Activities that reflect residents’ interests and life histories

Purposeful engagement helps preserve cognitive function and fosters joy.

Choice and Autonomy

Even with cognitive decline, individuals still benefit from having a voice in their daily lives.

Look For:

Residents who choose their activities and participate willingly
Flexibility in how days are structured
Options in how and when daily tasks are performed

Honoring autonomy, even in small ways, is essential for maintaining dignity and emotional well-being.

The Center for Applied Research in Dementia (CARD) created a memory care community checklist designed to guide you through each tour and conversation, so you can feel confident in your decision.

Download CARD’s Checklist

The Role of Family in the Memory Care Evaluation Process

Choosing the right memory care community is rarely a solo decision. Family involvement is not only helpful—it’s essential. Each family member brings a different perspective that can help paint a fuller picture of what a loved one truly needs. While one sibling may focus on safety and clinical care, another may pay closer attention to social engagement or communication style. These varied insights are valuable during tours and follow-up discussions.

Before you begin visiting communities, gather as a family to align your goals. What are your loved one’s most urgent needs? What values matter most to them—and to you? Having clarity upfront will help you focus on the right questions and avoid being swayed by surface-level impressions.

Prepare for the Tour

When touring communities, bring copies of the checklist to share among family members. Each person can take notes, observe different areas, and speak to staff. After the visit, debrief together. What stood out? What concerns came up? Was the environment calm and welcoming? Were staff members attentive and warm?

If your loved one is able, involve them in the process as well. Let them walk the halls, meet the staff, and experience the atmosphere firsthand. Their reaction—verbal or not—can give valuable insight into how comfortable they feel in the space.

Remember, the goal is not just to find a facility, but a home. Your loved one deserves more than supervision—they deserve to be known, respected, and engaged every day. With the right approach, your family can find a memory care community that offers comfort, confidence, and the highest standards of support.

Red Flags to Watch For

When evaluating memory care communities, don’t rush the process. Take the time to revisit your top choices, ask follow-up questions, and trust your instincts. A quality memory care community will welcome your curiosity, provide transparency, and make you feel confident that your loved one is in compassionate, capable hands.

While touring or researching communities, be alert to signs that may indicate inadequate care or institutional practices.

Residents appear disengaged or isolated
Staff seem rushed, unfamiliar with residents, or untrained
Limited personal touches in resident rooms or common areas
Strong smells or disorganized spaces
No clear system for learning residents’ histories or preferences
Activities seem repetitive, childish, or disconnected from residents’ interests

If something feels off or overly institutional, it’s worth investigating further.

How Fairmont Meets the Highest Memory Care Community Standards

At Fairmont Senior Living, we view this checklist not as a goal to reach, but as the baseline for how memory care should be delivered.

Each Fairmont community is designed to feel like home while offering exceptional care built around the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® approach. Our physical spaces support independence with intuitive layouts and calming aesthetics. Residents play an active role in shaping their daily routines, and our staff undergoes ongoing dementia-specific training to ensure thoughtful, informed care.

Every care plan at Fairmont is personalized based on a deep understanding of each resident’s background, strengths, and preferences. Activities are not only structured and engaging—they’re meaningful, reflecting each person’s identity. Whether it’s helping with meal prep, gardening, or social events, residents are encouraged to participate in ways that give them purpose. Contact us today to schedule a tour at one of our communities.