Are you thinking about moving into a retirement community but don’t know where to start looking or what questions to ask? Then the Tacoma Senior Living Community Tour might be just the thing.

The five-community tour will be hosted on Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The participating communities are Franke Tobey Jones, Merrill Gardens, Narrows Glen, Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community, and The Weatherly Inn.

“Together, we want to make sure people are well-informed about the options for senior living communities in the Tacoma area,” said Linda Lee, community relations director at the Tacoma Merrill Gardens and one of the tour organizers. “We want to help seniors find the very best community that will fit their wants, needs, desires, location and budget.”

Tour participants can either RSVP to reserve a seat on one of the community vans that will take them to the tour sites, or drive themselves and start at any of the five communities. To be on one of the vans, RSVPs must be made by Feb. 17 by calling 253-756-7562. Transportation services are limited, “so RSVP today,” Lee suggested.

The program of the day is as follows. At 10 a.m.:

• Start at one of the five communities.
• Hear a short presentation about senior living communities and the day’s activities.
• Tour that community.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.:

• Get aboard the community van or drive in your own car and go to the next community.
• Each van will have a representative from that community on the van to answer questions.
• Each van will stop at all five locations, or drive yourself and visit the communities you choose.
• Tour ends. “We’ll get you back to your starting community,” Lee said.

“We’ve hosted this tour five times in the past three years, and all to multiple-van capacity,” said Michelle Matz, senior director of accommodations at Franke Tobey Jones and also a tour organizer. “Most of the seniors that have taken this tour are just starting the process of looking around and seeing what communities are in the area and what they have to offer. We’re excited about hosting this tour again, as we’re able to provide a wide array of information and answer questions. We’ll also provide the opportunity to tour at least one or two apartments at each community, and this is very helpful for seniors to see firsthand.

“At the end of each of the previous five tours, the participants were hugging us and thanking us and so appreciative of all the information. It’s really gratifying knowing that we are providing seniors with information and options that will help them make a decision about moving to a senior living community.”

Additional information is available and RSVPs can be made at 253-756-7562.