Arranging a Trial Visit: The First Step Toward the Right Match
Trial visits help individuals and families find the right shared living match
Finding the right home starts with meeting the people who make it one.
At Alora, every shared living arrangement begins intentionally—with conversation, connection, and time. Before any move or match is finalized, we invite each individual and their family to experience what shared living could look like through a trial visit.
These visits aren’t about evaluation; they’re about exploration. They give everyone—individuals, families, and hosts—the chance to feel what “fit” really means.
The Power of a First Visit
No two homes are the same. Each one has its own rhythm, energy, and personality. A trial visit is your opportunity to step inside and sense whether that rhythm feels right.
For individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, the idea of moving somewhere new can bring a mix of emotions—excitement, curiosity, and sometimes hesitation. A trial visit helps ease that uncertainty. You can meet the host, spend time in the home, and start to imagine what daily life might feel like.
Families, too, find comfort in seeing the environment firsthand. They get to ask questions, understand routines, and see how their loved one responds to the new setting. It’s a shared discovery—one that builds confidence and trust before taking the next step.
How It Works
Every person who expresses interest in Alora is offered a trial visit as part of our intentional matching process.
After the admissions interview, our team identifies a few potential host homes that align with an individual’s preferences, needs, and personality. When a match feels promising, we arrange a trial visit that can take place in the community or at the host’s home—whichever feels most comfortable to start.
It’s low-pressure and collaborative. The individual gets to meet the people they might live with, explore the space, and share their impressions. The host does the same. Sometimes the connection is immediate. Other times, it takes a few visits to know. That’s okay—this process is about people, not speed.
Building Confidence, Not Commitment
A trial visit isn’t a final decision. It’s an open door—a chance to explore, connect, and ask “Is this what belonging could look like for me?”
We encourage everyone involved to reflect afterward. How did it feel to walk through the door? Was the conversation easy? Did the space feel calm, inviting, or comfortable? These small details often reveal more than any checklist could.
At the end of the day, we believe the best matches are built on mutual understanding and genuine connection. Trial visits make that possible.
This is what belonging can look like.
Shared living thrives when everyone involved feels ready, comfortable, and connected. Trial visits give that readiness room to grow—step by step, conversation by conversation.
Because the best homes aren’t chosen from a list. They’re discovered in moments that simply feel right.
Come on in.
