Resident Testimonials for Senior Living - Suggested Questions and Video Tips

Resident Testimonials for Senior Living - Suggested Questions and Video Tips

Let your residents tell your story.  A resident testimonial video can be a powerful way to help prospective residents and their families learn about your community from the very people who live there. Here are some tips, footage suggestions, and sample questions that you can use to capture and send content to HeartLegacy for the production of a beautiful resident testimonial video.  

Getting Prepared & Video Tips

  1. Prepare a well lit space with a pleasing background for the interview location. 
  2. The person you are interviewing should be facing a light source of some type, if possible.  Avoid having the interviewee sit with their back toward a light source such as a bright window, because it will be very difficult to see the person being interviewed.
  3. Prepare a list of questions ahead of time (see examples below).  Some interviewees might appreciate seeing the list ahead of time so that they can gather their thoughts beforehand.
  4. Set up a tripod, if available, for steady footage.
  5. Have the interviewee use a lapel mic or other microphone, if possible.  If you don't have a microphone, position the camera fairly close to the interviewee in order to get the best audio.
  6. Make sure the interview does not take place in a noisy location such as in front of a fountain or in a busy room.
  7. Record in landscape orientation.
  8. Capture extra footage of your interviewee beyond the actual interview.  This can be done before or after the actual interview.  The HeartLegacy team can show some of this extra footage while the interview audio is being played; this creates a more dynamic and interesting video.  Examples of extra footage to capture:
    1. performing day to day activities such as dining
    2. participating in an activity
    3. interacting with residents and/or staff members
    4. visiting with someone
    5. sitting in various areas and/or moving around the community

Suggested Questions

  1. What is your favorite meal we serve?
  2. Tell me about your favorite activity or amenity we offer.
  3. What do you enjoy doing with your friends here?
  4. Tell us about the staff and your caregivers.  What makes them special? 
  5. What is your favorite part of living here?
  6. What outings do you like going on?
  7. Do you go to the beauty shop?  What do you like about it?
  8. What does your family love about the community?
  9. Tell me about the care you receive here.
  10. What do you love about your communities surrounding area/city?
  11. How has your life improved since choosing to live here?
  12. Would you recommend your community to others?