Merrill Gardens

Staff was very personable and friendly. A new component called Independent Plus helps folks stay in their apartments with support from 7 A.M. to 7 P.M. Facilities were very clean and tastefully decorated. Lots of walking on sidewalks outside. The assisted living section was clean and no offensive odors were present. Most rooms were doubles. A detractor was a B rating from the health department for the kitchen. Lots of activities both on and off site. I was impressed. Additionally, it seemed to be a good value for the money. In the independent section, clients pay for phone and TV service, but electricity and water is included.

They need really check out what you’re being told you’re being offered. It’s extremely expensive and the owners don’t have much flexibility in helping new residents. It’s very clean though and the staff is great.

Took a tour of this facility and thought it was nicer than most. The rooms were newer and a bit larger than you would expect. Liked the full size refrigerator and stove.

My mother is usually very independent, but this community has been great for her needs. She does not always need the care services, but whenever she does need extra care the staff are always very accommodating. They seem to have just the right amount of activities for her, considering her age and ability to participate. There is always a friendly face around, whether from the staff or the residents. The food is great as well. The maintenance staff respond quickly to any issues we bring up, and they've been great about helping us make changes to make the space her own. The value for the money is great. Great place!

The food is actually pretty good, I have had mostly trouble with communication with the administrative staff. When we got there no one had told the nurse or the administrator we were coming and the call button wasn't programmed, even though we were there earlier that day giving them thousands of dollars. This seems to be a continuous pattern. The nursing staff and the help seems great, it's just the administrative staff's communication. When choosing between our top two it turns out that they had the nicer facility, and the better price which is why we chose them.

Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria CA is a great place. Everything is clean, and the staff are happy friendly people! They answer questions with care and empathize with family when issues arrive. Large apartments makes transition from larger homes easier! The manager is trained in the hospitality field and has improved quality of food and overall atmosphere of the community!

It's a fantastic place, I think it's a good fit. There have been some issues with the drug regement, in the beginning. The communication around that issue was not good at all. The communication definitely needs to be improved. They started adding a lot of add on charges. I get calls all the time when things come up. The food is about a 3 the chef is a little below average. It's pretty generic and not very tasty, some stuff has been cold. It looks like a good menu and the facilities are fantastic. The facility is new clean and in great shape and the staff was friendly, and the staff and residents all knew eachothers names. This became our standard sort of our litmus test.

This is very much a first impression. My mother has been at Merrill Gardens University for less than a week.

Nice new construction, but rooms were very small. I was there on a Sunday, so it was pretty quiet, and not a lot of staff. New construction. I didn't like that only a certain amount of meals per month were provided; I felt that the add-ons could get pricey. It was clean, and would have been a great back-up.

The value is good, you get what you pay for. The food is fine, there's plenty of options available. They've done a great job. It's the best place for our situation. We're lucky to have found them. They take good care of the residents, and they are safe and looked after. I would recommend it to anyone in my situation.

If income is 2500 or less they offer reduced rates of Studio 1695 1Bdr 2400+ I've beeen there and would like that area. Spoke with Linda [Removed]

We're pleased overall with how things are going here. The facility itself is well kept and clean, and they do a good job keeping everyone cared for and entertained. The staff are all friendly and professional. In terms of the food I'd give them a 4 out 5, it generally pretty good, but it has room for improvement.

The staff is great. My mom is in the memory care unit and they really try to keep her occupied. From what I have observed, no one goes back to their rooms after lunch. There are games or music, dancing and I'm not sure what else. Their meals are good and everyone congregates into the dining room with all their new friends. So far, this has been a wise decision.

Very nice property. $3995/mo all inclusive except phone. No addtl for memory care. Specific times for meals - otherwise snacks in room. Fridge, cabinets incl. Can bring microwave. Carpeted. Type B facility.

I liked Barkley Place and have passed the info to my parents to look over.

The intake staff are helpful, friendly, and supportive.

Very nice facility. The woman I spoke with said that if diagnosed with dementia then could not be in assisted living. Would need to be determined. Very nice apartments! Did not like the memory care facilities. Residence seemed sad and non-communicative. Don't think Mom would be happy there.

# 3. overall: within 4 minutes drive of my house. Everyday visits very easy to manage. Aging in place as well as hospice available. Memory care unit seemed busy as I visited at lunch. Lots of activities nearby, restaurants, music, museum. More diversions easily available for Mom while they matter due to the downtown location. This is a busy facility with lots of activities offered. Staff seem plentiful but less personable as a whole than Aegis of Aptos. Mom's dog could visit regularly, but the walking path is rather small. There is a nice amount of sun and shade in the outdoor area. The whole living facility is built in the round so it is harder to get lost. Visiting health care regularly. Staff is switching from loud walkie talkies to quiet headsets to communicate with each other. Good thing! Parking lot is always full. In addition to assisted living and memory care there is a third option that has been developed. They have found that some folks not quite ready for the memory care unit but needing more help seem to thrive in a small social group that spends its days together with a supervisor but not in the more restrictive memory care. Some space available currently.

My mom can live here only because we were able to sell her house and she is living off the proceeds. Assisted living is very expensive and not covered by Medicare. It is sad that in this country there are not enough societal concerns about our senior citizens. They can be productive all their lives and yet not find financial security in there latter years. In any event, Merrill Gardens does provide what they say they will provide and my mom is very comfortable and contented there.

For anyone considering any assisted living arrangement or facility, be VERY specific about your expectations and get in writing, what the costs are for each and every item. I am as much to blame as they are after being convinced that I told them that my mother bathes daily, and that the fee was one thing, when, upon moving in, I was informed that the only bath the residents 2 times a week for that low price! Our costs increased by $600/month because I didn't get it in writing. As for since Mom has moved in, the staff is awesome, and it's tenants have got to be some of the nicest, most accepting and interactive people we've been blessed to have met.