Merrill Gardens

I only have a few complaints after Covid this place has been short of staff. I don't get phone calls that I'm supposed to get them. Mom was in a car accident and Merrill Gardens contacted me a day later, and it was the head nurse who called me the day after "to follow up" not knowing I had no idea mom was in a car accident.The head nurse was shocked that I was not called the day of the accident that was a little upsetting. Also, when Mom has been admitted to the hospital at times, and I didn't know she was in the hospital, but all I knew is she was not answering her phone I would call the front desk looking for Mom at Merrill Gardens.They would say they didn't know where she was and not offer any kind of help except that will try to call me back. When Mom first moved in there, it was great, but I think Covid is really damaged this place. They're going up on their prices doubling tripling. Mom has lost many friends because they had to move into their own apartments not being able to afford the prices. That might be out of their control. I don't know mom's lucky that she has the money to be able to stay there. Also, Mom is reported that they don't offer healthy menu options. It's a lot of spicy food with no other options. Maybe a side dish option high fat, lots of salt and butter. Mom won't leave because of the friends that she has made and at her age she says she doesn't have the energy to move and it's not that bad and she has figured how to cope with some of the shortcomings of Merrill Gardens. She does report that they have great activities that and she seems to be having fun with her friends. I believe that they are just struggling because of Covid they really have the best intentions It is a beautiful facility and all the residents there do seem happy and it doesn't smell bad when I go in there and like I said they have a lot of great activities.

Staff is fabulous. Food not so much. No interaction with admin after intake. Food options are very limited, portions also limited...he supplements with snacks is in his room. (He's not generally a big eater either.) His big complaint is the timing of meals, especially dinner.

She likes it but doesn't love it. It's pricey for what you receive. She does seem to be more active there and has church every Wednesday. The staff are 50/50 it depends on who you have working.

Would recommend to others! We picked this community because of the good vibes - attractive, location, clientele and staff/food.

Friendliness of staff is something we like the most about this community and based on the experience we would recommend them to other families.

Rate 4 for all except for value..since the cost is increasing 10% each year and nothing is changing for the better I feel it isn't warranted. A lot of money is spent on decorations that are not even appreciated. Other than that it's probably one of the better places in San Diego.

She wasn't there long and kept herself pretty isolated but we found the community to be clean friendly and welcoming. We picked them because of the location.

The staff had a lot of turnover, some were very good. Especially cooks seemed to turnover a-lot. My Mom complained about a lot of the meals being cold. Activity Directors charged often too.

All-in-all means that on the surface, everything looks, and is, really nice. It is when you start looking closer that you find little discrepancies. Such as: many areas that need touch-up paint, mold on the ground under an air conditioner by the pool, a lamp post knocked over by a hurricane is still on the ground. My apt is quite nice. But I've talked with other residents whose dish washer has never worked, air conditioning system leaks, some apts don't have microwaves. Nit picking? Maybe. But for what we're paying, things that are unacceptable. Great, dedicated staff. Very adequate and tasty meals.

Short staffed all around. They need more variety on the food menu and need to have better-quality foods.

In the four months of living at Truewood In Modesto CA I have had a very positive experience living as a single Independent woman for the first time. The staff is incredibly friendly and always agreeable to helping new people adjust to a new way of life. The staff of managers and kitchen chefs and staff are all extremely sensitive to the many personal health and aging issues of all the residents. They respond easily and with humor when needed which helps even the grumpiest residents relax. The rooms are well appointed with minimal kitchenettes, bathrooms and bedrooms that accommodate an elderly lifestyle. There are also cleaning staff and laundry facilities on each floor. The kitchen staff are all wonderful with their food item choices and their sunny dispositions. There are game, exercise and a bus to take us to appointments and monthly fun times at nearby malls and eateries. Our themed parties are beautifully decorated and the seasons here are gorgeous.

Overall a positive experience and would recommend for another's loved one.

[name removed] the director at garden house (memory care) is very responsive to concerns. Easy to talk to. The only thing I wish they would improve on is a schedule of daily simple activities for the residents.

I was happy my Mother was safe and taken care of there. I would recommend it.

All the staff members were outstanding. They were professional and very helpful. The food was substandard for the high quality of the facility. I thought it would be better. I thought the [fee removed] was too much for the apartment size. The [fee removed] was worth the safety and security that my mother needed.

We really love it here! The main thing I love about this is it has FRIENDLY RESIDENTS!! The reason there were a few low scored is because a substitute nursing agency works at night and they did not take precautions and she fell. My family goes to the facility almost every day. You need to be in there often especially in the beginning to get to know the staff so they know your loved ones needs.

If she had more money, I would prefer she were in a different assisted living facility. I have some issues with billing. The food is really good, but the menu is limited compared to other places we looked at.

The facility has been recently renovated and is fresh and bright. There is a good resident to staff ratio and the food quantity and quality are good. The price for service is fair. The communication from staff could be better.

The staff has been pretty consistent. Many of the staff have worked there a long time. They do not need to contract with agencies to staff shifts, which is great. The staff are all very friendly and responsive to my mother-in-law and our family. Overall, we are very happy with our choice! I also want to thank A Place for Mom with all of your help in our search. You really were so helpful!

It was a great experience. I picked them because of my gut feeling.