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Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria

1220 Suey Road, Santa Maria, CA 93454

(800) 558-0653 (Call a Family Advisor)

4.45

(44 reviews)

Offers Continuing Care Communities, Assisted Living, Independent Living, and Memory Care
Top rated on Caring.com

2016

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Reviews of Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria in Santa Maria, California

4.45

(44 reviews)

  • Facility

    4.8

  • Staff

    4.9

  • Food

    4.6

  • Activities

    4.3

  • Value

    4.8

Top rated on Caring.com

2016

Sharon

5

January 26, 2024

I visited this facility

I like Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria. It was equipped with everything. It was more like a home or an apartment. They had a single bedroom. It was a nice sized bedroom and a nice sized living room. The two-bedroom apartment had a larger refrigerator. It was bigger and very nice. I like the grounds. It's very clean. There were no odors or smells. They had a very large balcony that was enclosed. If you had animals, it was a great place for dog run. And you could put your furniture out on it. The staff members were very polite, positive, and informative. But they would recommend me to someone else to explain other things, like the pricing and how to financially handle things. They had a beauty salon and a movie theater with a large screen and individual chairs. They showed movies on certain days of the week, which was nice. They had a craft room. They had rooms which had a long table if you wanted to have guests over. The chefs there would cook the food for them. The menu was good. Everyone that I ran into seemed very happy to be there. It was laid out very well. It was a large place. The two-bedroom apartment had a washing machine and dryer in it, which I liked, but it was a small one. If you had larger loads, they had an area where you could go with larger machines and wash, like comforters. They are in the process of updating their decor, so keeping up with that, the price is kind of high too.

Provider Response

Hi Sharon, thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this review! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you ever need anything.

Charles

5

March 19, 2023

I visited this facility

We toured Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria. The tour was good. They provide meals at any time. So it's not set times to eat. There are apartments from one bedroom to two bedrooms. They have independent living and they also have caregiving, like assisted living. To live there would take two retirement plans and have nothing left over. That's for independent living, you go to assisted living, and that's even more. The staff was very nice. She gave a good tour, answered all our questions, sat down with us, then went through all the costs. She didn't hide anything. They have a calendar of activities. They have bingo. They have get-togethers, and they have a piano in the main lobby. They have different functions. The building is big. They also have separate buildings for people who want to live independently, like little houses in the same facility.

Provider Response

Hi Charles, thank you for taking the time to leave us this review! We appreciate you sharing your tour feedback and have made sure to share it with the community team. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you ever need anything.

Kathy

5

October 14, 2022

I visited this facility

We went to Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria. The rooms are very nice. It's a very nice and beautiful facility. The staff were great. There's a pool and a game area. The dining area is very comfortable like a restaurant. It's very nice. There was a little bar and there were some people at the bar. It's a little lounge area.

Provider Response

Hi Kathy, it's so wonderful to see you had such a positive experience with us! We do our very best to provide top-notch service, so it's great to see we're living up to this goal.

John

4

March 27, 2022

I visited this facility

We toured the memory care of Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria. It was good. They were very, very strict on the COVID protocols there. We thought it was a little bit excessive, but we understand that they are doing it to protect their clients. The staff was very good, as far as the people taking care of the clients there; they were very good. They're one of the most friendly we had visited. The facility looks good. It was older, and they had told us they were going to update and remodel the memory care here for the next five to six months. They had not started yet. We visited them in the third week of January, so they might have started it already. They have three buildings there. They have it all together. It's separated from the rest of the facility, and they have higher security. They're not allowed to wander. They have a large garden to walk around, but they do have security all the way around so they won't be lost. They have a dining room, an activities room, and each client has their own individual bedroom with a bathroom.

Provider Response

Hi John, thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this review.

Sandy

5

November 14, 2021

I visited this facility

Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria was clean and well-maintained. They have a housekeeper that comes in once a week. They have someone that washes your towels and beddings once a week. The staff was really friendly, helpful, and not at all pushy or anything. He was just really cool about it. The dining area was nice. All of them said we could come back and have a meal there, but we have not done that. Their menu looked good. They have a gym, a place to watch movies with a big screen TV, and a pool. They have a lot of activities. They go shopping if you need to go shopping. They go to places and make plans to do things for their residents.

Provider Response

Hi Sandy, thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this review.

Meagan

3

October 26, 2021

I visited this facility

Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria was offering a special, so the price was very enticing. The dining room area seemed very nice, and the food selection seemed good, but it just didn't have a very vibrant feeling. The people that we saw there didn't seem particularly happy. We had kind of a rough time together with the staff who gave the tour. We got off on the wrong foot. The rooms were nice, they all kind of looked alike, but it was a very functional living space. I liked the price, but I didn't like that it felt like your typical nursing home. We didn't come away feeling that it was a place that had much going on. It just didn't seem as vibrant as the others. The maintenance and upkeep seemed fine, I didn't notice any problems. They had a cozy dining room area. Their beverage area, that they normally have open, was closed because of COVID, and the feeling I got was that because of COVID, a lot of things that they normally do had been shut down and they weren't going anywhere. They weren't having any type of activities, and a lot of the things that they might normally do weren't happening anymore.

Provider Response

Hi Meagan, thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this review.

Dennie

5

September 10, 2021

I visited this facility

I went to Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria. It was super clean. The staff was nice. I liked the whole layout. I liked the different tiers of service, which most places give from cottages to full assistance when needed, and even hospice. It would suit my father's needs if he wanted to move in this direction. The staff was super friendly and very helpful. He's been there for several years. He took me to several vacant rooms and just gave me the whole tour. He was very, very accommodating. The menu looked great. They have a chef there, and of course, it is walk-in dining like the newer facilities. The dining area had a lot of natural light, and it was very spacious, and very clean. They have a salon, a billiards room, a library, a pool, and a spa, and a nice, outdoor area with firepit.

Provider Response

Hi Dennie, thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this review.

Dyanne

5

August 22, 2021

I visited this facility

I went to Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria. It was excellent all the way around. It's a wonderful community. I liked all of their offerings there, as far as the caregiving, the dining, the activities, and all of the things that they offer. They have memory card games, entertainment, libraries, board games, and lots of social activities for people to interact. They have excellent staff. It's very clean. Everything has been upgraded. I didn't eat any of their food, but their offerings and menu is quite extensive with lots of choices.

Provider Response

Hi Dyanne, thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this review.

Peaceful

5

July 17, 2020

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

I relocated my folks to this facility in June, 2020 during the COVID-19 period and they were extremely helpful managing all of the restrictions and guidelines from the medical requirements to move in day. Special thanks to Gary G., Kim A., Audie S. and Chris R. for their assistance and guidance. Very dedicated and helpful staff from Kitchen, Care Givers and MedTech. The comfort level to the family of the resident is very special.

Provider Response

Hi Peaceful, thank you for taking the time to leave us this review.

Shirlee

5

October 9, 2019

I am/was a resident of this facility

I was at Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria. I liked it. It was run by a bigger corporation, but the rent was twice as much as other places. My room had a kitchenette with a full sized refrigerator and a two-burner stove. I had a very big bathroom that was big enough to put my walker in. I enjoyed that room very much. They had so many activities, too. They were able to us on the bus. They also have doctors' days. Even though it costs double, you get that much square footage and activities. They also have more buses.

Provider Response

Hi Shirlee, thank you for taking the time to leave us this review.

George

4

March 14, 2019

I visited this facility

The restaurant at Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria is pretty much open from 7 in the morning to 7 at night, and I like that feature very much because I don't always feel like eating at a set time. It was very good but what I didn't like it is it's so huge. The staff was very nice. I was impressed with the place.

Provider Response

Hi George, thank you for taking the time to leave us this review.

Gumby01

5

September 3, 2018

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

Pros: Great people. Excellent facility. Surprisingly good food. Cons: None The twilight of life is often not an easy time. In late April 2018, my wife and I moved from Silicon Valley which we called home for more than 35 years to Nipomo, about 210 miles to the south. My mother relocated from Pennsylvania to San Jose in February 2015 and took up residence in a nice retirement facility (part of the Brookdale group). When we moved, there was little choice for her but to go with us. The Central Coast of California between San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria is a remarkably happy place. The weather is tough to beat. Vineyards cover many of the hills. The Pacific Ocean is never far away. People seem to be content…whether fellow shoppers in the stores, neighbors or drivers(!). Still, finding the appropriate place for an aging parent is not a simple task. If moving is one of life’s toughest jobs for a person in good health and sound mind, it’s a treacherous task for a 90 year old with many ailments, both real and imagined. A few minutes after arriving at Merrill Gardens, my wife and I turned to each other and said “this is it”. My mother moved there 3 weeks after we settled into our new home. Any transition is hard, especially for an elderly person who established a life in one city and didn’t really want to try it again in another. She only lived 5 weeks in Merrill Gardens before succumbing to a variety of medical issues, but the staff and people in that residence made our lives as sweet as possible, both before and after her passing. - Location: Convenient. Merrill Gardens is in the northern part of Santa Maria, about 3 minutes east of Highway 101 off the Donovan Road exit. - Exterior: Very attractive. There are 2 large 3 story buildings…one built in the early 2000s and the other around 2010 (I believe)…plus a circle of cottages to the north and east. Attention has obviously been given to the landscaping which gives the complex a residential appeal. You might say it’s the nicest part of the neighborhood. - Interior (of the newer building where my mother lived): Bright and cheerful. The receptionist and concierge are just inside the entrance with a “great room” to the left. It’s warm, colorful and cozy. The initial feeling you get is “they take care of things at this place”. The dining room remains open from early morning to late evening since Merrill Gardens has a policy of “anytime dining”. It’s large and airy with tables spaced far enough apart to permit privacy yet allow conversation among friends. The hallways are more spacious and inviting than at similar facilities. There are several rooms for meetings and movies, the largest library I’ve seen in such places and a very active pool table nearby. - Apartments: Generous. My mother had a one bedroom unit on the 2nd floor with about 600 square feet plus a balcony of 100 square feet. When she arrived, there had only been one occupant since the facility opened. It was cleaned and painted with a bigger kitchen than she had in San Jose…including a large refrigerator, microwave and stove. Maybe not all the amenities of a real home (such as a lack of good storage), but not too shabby either. - Dining: Really good. My mother was a picky eater, but definitely enjoyed her meals at Merrill Gardens. While we were sometimes dragged to dinner in San Jose, we went willingly here. The food was tasty and the servers friendly and patient. - Senior Staff: The best. We can’t say enough good things about the Chief Executive, Audie. and Community Managers Kim. and Gary G., but I’ll try. Kind, accommodating, informative and willing to listen to a family’s tales of woe. It was like having friends on the inside. The receptionists were always helpful, especially Barbara during there week. - Caretakers and Other Staff: More of the best. Kind, supportive and patient. They’re not the most highly paid, but their jobs are tough. - Other Residents: Very friendly. It’s as if the happy atmosphere of the Central Coast extended to the residents. Older age did not deter these people from smiling. - Cost: Reasonable. We paid $3,250/month for the one bedroom apartment which was roughly the same as in San Jose, but for a nicer facility. However, it can get expensive if you need ancillary services, including management of medicines and specialized care. NOTE: The initial “community fee” of $4,000 covers the facility’s move-in costs. If your family member leaves within the first 4 months, you’ll get a pro-rated amount back. Mr. Sherberg was very helpful in getting us the best possible refund. - Value: Excellent. The best money spent in quite a while. I hesitated writing this review for a few months after my mother’s death because I wanted to make sure the long process ended as well as it began. It did. There are no “ifs, ands or buts” to the 5 stars awarded to Merrill Gardens in Santa Maria.

Provider Response

Hi There, thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this review! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you ever need anything.

Kelly

5

August 13, 2018

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

My mom is doing pretty good at Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria. The staff is very good, professional, and pleasant. The food is very good and high quality, and they're all happy with it. The facilities are very nice and high grade. The amenities are very nice. They have a garden and pool. People should go check the place out. It's worth their time to look at.

Provider Response

Hi There, thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this review! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you ever need anything.

Kathie

5

April 9, 2018

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

My mother is at Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria. They have excellent food, and she could go down anytime and they would fix her a meal. We've eaten there a couple of times, and the food is delicious. They have a lot of activities. It's super clean. I've used the public restrooms many times and they're very clean. They have lots of staff. They're very family oriented, so it's not about the money, it's more about the people, and we really appreciate that aspect of it. We're very impressed. It's not inexpensive but it's also not ultra expensive. The staff per senior ratio is pretty high. We like that, too. Her room is very large with a walk-in closet plus a regular closet. She has a very large bathroom with a curbless shower with multiple shower heads plus storage in her bathroom for linens. She has a little kitchenette in her studio apartment with a sink and a built-in microwave, a full-sized refrigerator, and built-in kitchen storage cabinets. It's a very nice room with a big window that opens up. I'm happy with them. While we were there moving her in, a lot of people stopped in her room, like the housekeeping staff and the care staff. She wears the little button around her neck in case she falls. The people were super nice. The service staff in the dining hall is very nice, too. They offer something every single day like wine and cheese and yesterday they had a giant Easter egg party. My sister and my husband participated in that. The facility is very big, and it also has memory care.

Provider Response

Hi There, thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this review! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you ever need anything.

Elaine

5

September 8, 2017

I visited this facility

We had a very positive visit at Merrill Gardens. The staff was very pleasant, friendly, and knowledgeable. Everything was completely clean, there were no smells of any kind, and the food looked good. I think it was one of the nicest facilities I saw in that area.

Drpet2017

2

July 8, 2017

I visited this facility

I do not recommend the memory unit. While things are pretty on the outside the care is not sufficient. The staff cannot watch all residents and I have witnessed unsafe situations. Residents who cannot get up on there own are often ignored when they plea to get up or dress themselves. The activity director is awesome and there are a few caregivers who are caring and try hard. It's upsetting that things happen and the none of the employees can tell you why or how. Also, I know that a few caregivers have reported concerns to the supervisors and they were pushed aside. I think that if all parties would be honest and upfront then this place could be wonderful and worth the money. The most important thing is safety and respect for ones dignity.

catherine756678

3

May 31, 2017

I visited this facility

I didn't like Merrill Gardens as much. It's a little more businesslike. I didn't think it was as homey. It just didn't feel as good. I think the staff was doing the best they could, but it seemed so large. It's not very pretty, and the structure seemed too industrial. I couldn't tell if the staff is happy or not. The room I was shown hadn't been clean. It didn't leave me with a good impression. The dining area was closed, so I just looked at it. The structure itself didn't feel like a place like you'd want to leave your loved one. When I think about leaving my loved one somewhere, I want them to feel they're at home. It didn't look good even from the outside.

Son of a happy Mom

5

April 19, 2017

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

My mother has been residing at Merrill Gardens for nearly a month. However, it was a three year process for her to grudgingly accept living in a senior community. At this point she is settling in very nicely, and my siblings, as well as all of our spouses are extremely pleased. The management and staff are excellent, and the facilities, meals and activities are perfectly suited to the specific needs of each individual resident. Prior to entering Merrill Gardens various family members toured the facility, met with the management and were provided with a great deal of information regarding their program, including the typical adjustment curve for new residents to feel comfortable. I am happy to say that our mother is following that curve, just as described. Our family is now secure in knowing that Mom is in a safe, well-appointed and stimulating environment.

Provider Response

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We know that the move to senior living is an adjustment for the entire family, not just the residents who move in with us. We are happy to hear that your mother is settling in nicely.

Susan170023

5

April 13, 2017

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

Mom is in Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria for 1 month now, and it has been very good. Everything is very nice compared to other places that we visited. The staff has been very caring, and my mom has made friends with a lot of them. Mom likes their restaurant style dining area where she can eat whenever she likes. We checked a lot of places, but Mom was happiest with this one. They have lots of activities, but Mom is still adjusting, so she doesn’t participate much in their activities yet.

Provider Response

We are glad to hear that your mom is adjusting after her move to her new home at Merrill Gardens. Thank you for sharing that our team members have been very caring.

Robert488005

4

March 30, 2017

I visited this facility

Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria was very clean and very neat. No buy-in dollar-wise. The individual cottages were very attractive and very roomy. The grounds were spacious and very well kept. It was a very nice place.

Provider Response

We are glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit to Merrill Gardens. The cottages are great and many people really like that option. And the month-to-month rental is very appealing for those that don't want to do a buy-in.

Deborah288882

5

March 27, 2017

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

My dad has been in Merrill Gardens since January. It is really nice, and people are very friendly. My dad seems to like it OK, and so far so good. The staff is good. They're not medical qualified -- they are more like aides -- but it’s OK. I wish they had more medical experience. Dad is doing all right. He's in a shared room, and he didn’t care for that much. They have a lot of activities, like bingo and music, and they go on field trips. He's in a wheelchair, so it's little hard for him to get in and out of the bus. He just likes to watch TV, and they have a nice big screen TV.

Provider Response

Thank you for writing us this review. We are glad to hear that our team members have been friendly and that your dad is able to enjoy some of the activities.

John P.555552

5

February 7, 2017

I visited this facility

Merrill Gardens was fine but too expensive for us. My dad needs more care than they can give. It's good for someone who is aged 75 to 95. They had independent living as well.

Provider Response

We appreciate you sharing this feedback with us, and we hope you found a good option for your dad. Please let us know if we can be of any assistance in the future.

Joan802622

5

November 14, 2016

I visited this facility

Everything at Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria is beautiful, and it's great. The place is wonderful, the food's great, and the tour was very good. It was bright, cheery, and very well planned out. It just was a very nice place, and I was impressed.

Provider Response

We think that Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria is a wonderful community, and receiving this feedback makes us very proud. We are so pleased that you had such a positive experience.

Suzzane133545

5

August 24, 2016

I visited this facility

We visited Merrill Gardens. The gentleman that was there did not know we were coming, but he took a break and showed us around. When we got there, they were having a special lunch. He showed us around, but he had to leave, so I sat and talked with some of the people, wait staff, and the employees. It was very similar to where my mother lives now, but it was $1,000 cheaper. They had all types of activities, two big dining rooms, a pool, a spa, the hairdresser, and activities in the gym. The only thing that they did not have was the size room that she needed. They were very nice.

Provider Response

Thank you for sharing your positive review with us. We are glad that you had good experience during your visit to Merrill Gardens!

Fely038220

4

July 2, 2016

I visited this facility

Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria was very nice, well maintained, very clean, fresh, and new. It is just a very nice place. It looked like an upscale hotel. There wasn’t really too much going on at the time when we went through, though. The food was great, and the dining area looked nice.

Provider Response

We are happy to hear about your positive experience at Merrill Gardens! We would love to invite you back to experience some of the many activities that we have going on each day, since it sounds like you didn't have an opportunity to do that during your last visit. Please don't hesitate to contact us and come back for another visit!

DavidEMGHR

4

May 11, 2016

I visited this facility

I looked into Merrill Gardens. It was a very nice place but too far away from the people we knew and the activities that we were involved in. I thought the place was relatively new and had been kept up in very good condition. The people seemed friendly and alert. They had a very good selection of activities. They sponsored a very active local bridge game with a number of occupants there and there were also people not living there who came in and participated. The people running the place were very friendly, accommodating, and understood that these kinds of transitions were difficult. I thought they were as supportive as possible. The place was very attractive, physically.

Provider Response

Thank you for taking the time to provide us with this positive and detailed feedback! We are very proud of our activities program and all the options available to residents. Please reach back out to us with any questions.

Anonymous Visitor22

5

April 24, 2016

I visited this facility

Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria looked like a very nice place. We liked it a lot. The staff seemed friendly and knowledgeable, but we didn’t see very many of them and didn’t really talk to anybody besides Gary. The cleanliness was excellent. The dining area and rooms that we saw were very nice.

Provider Response

We appreciate you giving us this positive review for Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria. Please reach back out should you have any questions or need additional information.

JMK2

5

January 29, 2016

I am a friend or relative of a resident

Everything at Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria is wonderful. The staff is knowledgable, and answered all the questions we needed. The rooms were excellent; open, friendly, and in excellent shape. The food is excellent too. They have too many activites for my mom to participate in.

Provider Response

Thank you so much for providing us with this positive feedback! We are so pleased to hear that you had a wonderful experience with Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria.

Sam34

3

January 16, 2016

I visited this facility

The rooms at Merrill Gardens weren’t as big as the ones where I’m living now. The staff was very helpful; they explained everything and were very courteous.

Provider Response

Thank you for taking the time to write us this review. We are glad to hear that you had a positive experience with our team members at Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria. Please don't hesitate to reach back out with any questions.

Robin121430650

4

December 30, 2015

I visited this facility

My parents will be moving in Merrill Gardens. This community has very high standards. They are very good, unlike the other facilities that I checked out. Everybody -- the staff and residents -- is friendly. I like them a lot. When we had lunch during our visit there, the residents turned around from their tables and told us that Merrill Gardens was a really happy and fun place to live. Their dining room reminds me of a crew ship on land. It opens from 7:00 to 7:00 and serves special meals every day. You can even tell them what you want in your salad bar and they put it on it. They have one-bedroom apartments, studios, and two-bedroom apartments. Everyone there has their own air conditioning and heating. They have a calendar of activities they do every day and do bus trips almost everyday. They have puzzle games to play, too. It's a very secure place, as well, because you have to sign in and out at the desk to get in. They have security guards, which very much impressed me!

Provider Response

We appreciate you taking your time to write us this kind review. We are so glad to hear the positive feedback about your experience, and we look forward to providing a great environment for your parents!

Denise43

5

October 31, 2015

I visited this facility

It is a gated community, which is nice. It says Merrill Gardens. It doesn’t say, like, assisted living or retirement community. It’s like you’re driving through a gated neighborhood. They have three-story buildings when you first drive in. One of them is independent; one is assisted living. To the left of that, they have three streets that have cottages that are independent living. There are 40 of those cottages on three streets. There are four of them connected. You have your own garage, but you take your trash out just like you do in your normal home. Your mailbox is right down the street from your home, just like in a normal place. There’s a central green area in the middle of the cottages, with community gardening if you wanted. They have patios in the front door, off of the master’s bedroom, and a huge patio off the dining-room area in the kitchen, which has very nice landscaping, so you can putter in the front yard or in the back yard if you wanted to. They do, however, take care of the landscaping they put in. The units are two bedrooms, two bathrooms, living room, huge kitchen with an island and an eating area. It’s very well-laid-out and with nice square footage. They’re almost 1,300 square feet, like 1,280. The garage is very nice-sized -- a car and a half garage. If you’re still into having a work bench, a car or a golf cart, you had space for all of that. But in addition, they also have apartments, which have full kitchens. They have a lot of activities going on. They have all kinds of clubs for whatever you happen to be into. If you don’t want to drive, they have shuttles that go to Costco, the grocery store, and the malls. They have outings to the casinos and concerts too. The assisted living has their own three-story building. They have very nice apartments. We only looked at the two bedrooms because that’s what we were interested in. They have lots of square footage, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and nice balconies. Their own buildings are three-story, nicely decorated with good colors. It was very nice. In assisted living, they have more kitchenettes versus the kitchen. The nice thing about Merrill Garden is when they built their apartments (the three-story buildings) one echnically is independent and the other one is assisted, but they are both licensed for assisted living, which is nice. If you are living in the so-called independent apartment and you need assistance, you can still get it in that apartment without moving, which is nice. Their assisted living is not a cookie-cutter program. Whatever you need assistance in is the assistance you will get. All the activities are for everybody. Even if you live in the assisted living, you’re not sequestered to the assisted-living dining room. It's the same thing in the independent living -- you’re not sequestered to that dining room. You can eat whatever venue you want; you can attend whatever activities you want. It doesn’t matter what assistance level you need. You can do everything you want to do. The caregivers looked like very caring people. We ate in the dining room that day; the dining room staff was fabulous. The food was really good. We also toured the memory-care facility, which is three buildings. They call them houses. It’s inside the gated area inside the gated area, so they’re double-gated. They house 14 people in each one of these houses. They each have their own dining room and everything. The rooms were very nice. They’re 150 square feet, nice-sized rooms and bathroom. It didn’t feel like you’re in any kind of a hospital or nursing home. It was very homey, nicely carpeted, walls are wall-papered, nice oak railing going down the hallway, and artwork from residents and artists alike on the walls. Each of the buildings is identical to each other. If they had to move somebody from building 1 to building 3, they wouldn’t get agitated because the buildings look identical to the one they just came from. They wouldn’t even know that they transferred from a different building. I think the biggest difference between Merrill Gardens and some of the other ones is that Merrill Gardens is built as a senior continuing-care community, where some of them that we looked at took over a hotel or a student housing. It was actually built for older people. The bathrooms are the correct size, rooms are nice-sized, and doorways are big enough for wheelchairs and walkers. They seemed to saw almost everything.

Provider Response

Thank you for providing such a thorough review! We are so happy to hear this positive feedback about your experience with Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria.

Sylvia19

5

September 13, 2015

I visited this facility

Merrill Gardens was really nice with really nice activities, and you didn’t have to go outside to go to the dining hall; that was really nice. They have washers and dryers in the room, which was really nice. The one thing I didn’t like about it is that it had a kitchen; I wish they wouldn’t have kitchens in them because they don’t really use the kitchens, and they could use the place for something else. They all go down to the dining hall after all. The staff was very nice and good. The activities were really nice, and they take them to different places. We really like it.

Provider Response

Thank you so much for providing this review for our community. We are happy to hear about your positive experience and we appreciate the feedback regarding kitchens. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions.

Caring112854750

4

August 31, 2015

I visited this facility

The first one I visited was Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria. It is well-known in the area. They have a lot of features, and the units have a lot of features as well; those seemed good. The units were like a big apartment house. They have different sizes. Also they have a big dining area where anybody can go in and eat at any time from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. They have exercise classes, and they have transportation to and from doctors and shopping.

Provider Response

We would like to thank you for taking your time to write us this review. We appreciate your feedback! Please don't hesitate to contact us directly with any questions.

Lori44

5

July 28, 2015

I am a friend or relative of a resident

Our friend has been in Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria since the 25th of June. They have several buildings, and she is in 1350. I have nothing but good comments about the staff and the facility. The staff is excellent, the facility is very nice, the food is very good, and the people are very caring. The room that my friend has is very comfortable and larger than most that we checked in the area, and the price is a good value. She has a one-bedroom apartment, and it has a complete kitchen with a regular stove and a refrigerator; however, she doesn't plan to cook. All meals are included. and they can eat anytime they want from 7:00 to 7:00. It's the best of all worlds. She has a 700 square foot apartment. and it has one bedroom and one bath. The dining room is lovely. They have all sorts of activities. They have outings where they take them on little bus tours for the day with boxed lunches. They take them to plays, their medical appointments if they need to be taken, and to shopping places. They have a happy hour on Friday night and barbecues on the 4th of July or Memorial Day -- they seem to celebrate every holiday.

Provider Response

We thank you for taking the time to write us this great review! We are so pleased to hear that your friend is enjoying Merrill Gardens.

Trudy5

5

June 13, 2015

I visited this facility

I visited Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria. We were very impressed because it is a beautiful place. It was expensive, but we kind of expected it to be. There was a living room, a bedroom, and a small kitchenette in some of them. We were looking more in the assisted living section. I was very impressed. It was very nice with a balcony on them. They offer a lot of amenities. They have crafts, meeting rooms, and exercise rooms. It looks like there was a lot of socialization going on. The people that we met were very pleasant and seemed happy. We didn't have a chance to taste the food at Merrill Gardens, but it seems very pleasant, and the residents were happy and contented. They were still very mobile in moving around. We were very impressed.

Provider Response

We would like to thank you for taking the time to write us this 5-star review! Thank you so much for the detailed feedback. We are so glad to hear that you had a great experience while visiting Merrill Gardens. Please don't hesitate to contact us directly if you have any questions.

Caring106544150

4

May 23, 2015

I visited this facility

I think Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria is institutional. It is too big with three stories, and I don’t like that. The place is very, very clean. The rooms are very nice.

Provider Response

Thank you for taking the time to write us this review. We are glad to hear that our community was clean and you liked the rooms, though we are disappointed that our large community felt institutional for you. If you have additional feedback or questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.

Audrey19

4

May 2, 2015

I visited this facility

What I like about Merrill Gardens is that the grounds are large. There are a lot of outdoor areas. They have a pool and a garden area. The staff was very friendly. The rooms were very nice and spacious. They were also clean and very well kept.

Provider Response

Hi There, thank you for taking the time to leave us this review.

Caring94056650

5

February 24, 2015

I am a friend or relative of a resident

I visited Merrill Gardens, and it was excellent; there was excellent care, good meals, good exercises, and entertainment. The staff is very nice, and my friend is living in a 2-bedroom apartment. It’s not large, but it’s adequate and he has a nice balcony.

Provider Response

Hi There, thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this review! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you ever need anything.

Kym1

5

October 22, 2013

I am a friend or relative of a resident

My mom is all settled at the Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria. We had nothing, but really good experience. All of the staff is really nice and the facility is nice. The room is fine and I thought it was a good place. My mom is really happy and she likes it there. I like how the food and the dining is all day. They don't have a set mealtime, they can just go in and get food any time that they want. So it is more like home in some ways instead of having to stick to a schedule.

Caring9933

5

April 18, 2013

I am a friend or relative of a resident

Merrill Gardens was the facility where my mother-in-law stayed. The place was just fabulous. There were tons of amenities. The food was delicious and tasty. The staff were just amazing. She was super happy there.

Caring805

4

October 30, 2012

I visited this facility

Merrill Gardens looks pretty nice. It's clean and modern-looking. The have enough common areas, exercise areas, dining, library and social areas. Of all the places I've seen it seems one of the nicest and I would recommend them.

Caring310

1

May 18, 2012

I visited this facility

Nothing really impressed me about Merrill Gardens in Santa Maria. We had dinner there and the food wasn't that good. The environment seemed kind of sterile, not as warm as other facilities I've visited. There was a smell to it and the rooms were dark like dungeons. My mom didn't think much of it either. I didn't get the feeling that it was a homey atmosphere.

Provider Response

Thank you for taking the time to share feedback regarding your recent experience. We take quality service and customer satisfaction very seriously at Merrill Gardens and have reviewed your concerns with the community team. If you have additional feedback, please don't hesitate to email us at info@merrillgardens.com or call us at 800.379.8831

hinshar

5

September 6, 2011

I am a friend or relative of resident

My Mother and Father became residents in June of 2005 when it was Arbor View and was bought out by Merrill Gardens. My Mother was placed in the Garden House unit which specializes in dementia, alzheimers and other issues that could not be handled by assisted living. My father went to the assisted living facility. My Mother and Father were treated respectfully and I had no worries that they were not taken care of at all. My Mother passed at the facility in 2009 and my Father is now in the same unit that my Mother was in. He loves the caregiviers and the people there and they treat him like he is their own father. The staff caregivers are wonderful and I love visiting with them when I go there. I recommend Merrill Gardens in Santa Maria wholeheartedly.

TaryJer

4

June 24, 2011

I visited this facility

Everyone there was very friendly there and welcoming,very warm,they were very helpful,i enjoyed the tour very much.they assisted me to my full expectations,i've also heard from other people that have obtained assisted living from that place and they all say good things so i decided to go on a tour there.

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Services and Amenities of Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria in Santa Maria, California

Room and housing options

  • 1-bedroom apartments
  • 2-bedroom apartments
  • Companion Suites: We do not offer companion suites

Dining options

  • In Room Kitchenette
  • In Room Kitchens
  • Dining Room Shared Meals

Features

  • Beauty Barber Shop
  • Computer Room
  • Resident Transportation

About Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria in Santa Maria, California

Conveniently located between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria is a campus-style retirement community that provides a wide spectrum of care. Enjoy being near golf courses, wineries, the Veteran’s Administration Building and Marian Regional Medical Center.

Residents enjoy celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and holidays together, as well as being involved in local volunteer projects. They enjoy use of the community’s private dining room for special occasions. Santa Maria offers scenic coastal state and county parks for picnicking, strolling and more. The nearby Luis Oasis Senior Center offers classes, hiking trips, volunteering, a travel club and more.

Map of Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria

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The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

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