Has anyone ever used video chat to evaluate senior communities for an out-of-town loved one?

I agree, I will definitely visit in person before we decide which is best. I just wanted to narrow down the options I'm considering based on meeting the people rather than what they have on their website or pictures they show. When I go, I want to spend quality time visiting only the communities I am strongly considering.

The brochures and everything are helpful, but I just wondered if anyone else had asked to Skype or video chat with a community before?

I think that something you need to think about, going forward, is that at some point, your mom is going to need to be close enough to a family member so that someone can get there easily in an emergency. An Assisted living facility ot NH will call 911 and get her transported to hospital, but no one but family is going to show up

No, go in person, look all over, listen to the conversations and music, smell the halls, taste the food, talk to the residents you see, inspect the carpeting, the paint, the furnishings. Notice the aides, their faces, their posture, their interactions with clients and each other.