8 Questions to Ask Before You Hire an Outside Activity Vendor
Bringing an outside vendor into a senior living community is a trust decision before it's a budget decision. The right partner lifts your programming for years; the wrong one creates work, risk, and awkward conversations. Here are the eight questions worth asking — including of us.
1. Are you insured for senior care settings specifically?
General liability isn't enough on its own. Ask about professional liability and whether the vendor can name your community as an additional insured. Anyone serving this industry professionally will say yes without hesitation. (We do.)
2. Are your staff background-checked?
In Massachusetts, ask specifically about CORI checks. This should be a one-word answer.
3. What exactly does my staff have to do?
Get this in writing. "Turnkey" should mean setup, materials, instruction, and cleanup are all handled. If your Activity Director is shopping, prepping, or cleaning, you've hired a supplier, not a program.
4. How do you adapt for different care levels?
A quality vendor has a real answer about memory care, mobility limitations, and mixed-ability rooms — not just "everyone can participate."
5. What does a resident take away?
The best activities echo beyond the hour. Finished pieces, photos, stories for family calls — ask what remains when the vendor leaves.
6. What's the true all-in cost?
One price, all materials included, no surcharges. Per-resident math should be easy to do in your head.
7. Can we try before committing?
A confident vendor offers a low-risk first session. Ours is a paid demo with the full fee credited toward your subscription — you get a complete, real session, and your commitment only continues if your residents loved it.
8. What do other communities say?
References from Activity Directors and Executive Directors in your region are worth more than any brochure. Ask for them — and actually call.
Run this checklist on every vendor who wants time with your residents. Including us. Especially us.
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Artist-led ceramic painting sessions, delivered turnkey. Demo fees fully credited toward your subscription.
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