Merrill Gardens at Gilroy

Allen

My mother-in-law is moving this month to Merrill Gardens at Gilroy. We chose it because it's close by so we can walk over and visit. We feel very confident because we have friends whose parents were there. We have a private room, it's clean. They have several things going on daily. It was spacious with rooms for small groups, and reading and things like that, and a nice patio area. We felt very comfortable with the memory care area. It's fairly new and it's well-landscaped. It's clean and that was important.

Janice

Merrill Gardens at Gilroy is lovely and bright. They have caring staff. My mom is in memory care, and the staff treats them with dignity and respect which I really like. They'll do whatever you ask, and if the food you want is not on the menu, they'll fix it for you. Yesterday, they had a Mardi Gras event and music in the main dining room.

Charlota

Mother moved into Merrill Gardens. It's clean, pleasant, and friendly. They have everything. They have outings, board games, movies, creative writing groups, crossword puzzle groups, cooking, greeting card making, and lots of different things. We liked it for the location. They have restaurant-style dining, medication regulation, and laundry services. The staff is very helpful, friendly, and attentive.

ASCNME600

I'm on the waiting list for Merrill Gardens at Gilroy. I like that they have more activities than other places, like outings and field trips every week. Some of the other places only have them once a month. The place is nice and clean, and I like that the people there are happy.

VB

Merrill Gardens at Gilroy was very nice. I liked the size of their apartments and thought the rooms were well appointed. They were a little bit larger and had more cabinet space, and the kitchens were a little bit bigger than other places. I'm in a wheelchair, so I have to keep thinking about space and movability. The ambience of the place wasn't as good as the one from the other community that I saw. I had lunch there, and it was really good.

Dianne

Merrill Gardens is very nice, and everything is very good. It’s attractive and modern, and it’s not too big. The staff were all very friendly and seem confident. It’s a well-run business as far as could tell. They were very free with giving us meals and showing us rooms that actually were occupied, so we would get a good idea. They have a whole range of activities and special events regularly. The food is really good, and there’s variety; they also have a chef and they change specials every day. The portions are not too big, but you can eat as much as you want. There’s always soup, salad, dessert, and various other things. It’s really like restaurant quality; they seem to make it like you’re in a nice restaurant. The staff is helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly.

Catherine425505

We went to Merrill Gardens. It was excellent, and I liked it a lot. I was impressed. I liked the beauty salon, movie theater, and that they could have pets there. I would say there's activities galore.

Provider Response

Stuart208462

We did have my mother in Merrill Gardens at Gilroy a couple of years ago. It was a nice place. I think if they had more outings with them, and the staff might have been a little friendly. They were very professional. She was there for 10 months.

Provider Response

Lisa172188

I didn't really like Merrill Gardens at Gilroy because it had a funny smell. I would not consider it. The apartment was fine, but the staff seemed a little uneducated. The girls who took me around didn't seem to have answers for all of my questions. There was a room with some really old couches, and I didn't really like it. The lobby was very nice and behind a gate, which was nice, but it just didn't seem clean to me because of the smell. It's pretty from the outside with its nice landscaping.

Provider Response

David577512

Merrill Gardens has a different configuration, and its placement is just exquisite. It’s up against the hill that separate Gilroy from the ocean. However, it was not as attractive architecturally; my wife didn’t like the façade at all, it looked brackish to her with wooden balconies hanging out the front, and she thought it dark and foreboding. She found the dining hall depressing. The carpet in the dining room looked worn, but they had a large multipurpose room that was minimally appointed. The staff seemed very nice and offered us a 1-bedroom, but it seemed depressingly cramped.

Provider Response

Jorge810060

The rooms at Merrill Gardens of Gilroy didn’t have kitchens. We actually saw a one-bedroom and a studio. They didn’t have anything available for us to walk in but we saw some of the tenant’s places and they were OK. They were not a great size, but they could be comfortable. The people seemed like they have things sorted out nicely. There was an accordion player in the diner, and some people were dancing. The food was just OK; I would not want to eat there every day myself. The lady who showed us around didn’t seem to really care for her business, and we didn’t really get good vibes from her. However, the people were very friendly, and the lady in the kitchen was very helpful and very friendly. She explained more things to us than the one who was showing us around, so she was definitely a plus.

Provider Response

Concerned Son321130

We were pretty pleased with Merrill Gardens At Gilroy, and we think that it would probably meet our needs. It seemed like the size of the community was good, and there'd be activities and opportunities to socialize and move around. The things that are included in the base price like meals, linen laundering, and housekeeping a couple times a week seemed pretty reasonable for my mom for her current situation. There would be an add-on for any additional services if needed, and it's appealing although I'm concerned about how quickly additional costs could add up. They charge $11 to deliver a meal to the room, and they say that that's not just to charge a fee but to encourage the people to participate in the community -- and I agree that's important -- but for a 92 year old person, I would imagine that half of the time, she'd rather just eat in her room, so that's going to add up pretty quickly. That's one of the main concerns.

Provider Response

Michele573544

Merrill Gardens at Gilroy was awesome. I would live there. The place offered just about everything. The staff was great and seemed to know the names of the residents, which is pretty neat. The staff greeted each resident as they went by, so that gave the place a pretty personal feel. The room we looked at was a studio. It was small but clean, and it had a shower that was handicapped-accessible. The staff checked on the residents, and I thought it was awesome. The staff took the residents anywhere they wanted to go. There was a calendar of events that included ice cream socials, field trips, and lots of activities for the residents. It was an awesome place.

Provider Response

Soraya010865

I really liked Merrill Gardens at Gilroy and its people. It’s a brand-new place. I had the opportunity to have dinner there and see the residents. They have a lot of activities for the seniors.

Provider Response

K803563

We really liked Merill Gardens. It’s fantastic and fairly reasonable. The rooms are all of a wonderful size. The studio, which is the smallest, has room for a bed, TV, chair, and a large kitchen. You’re certainly getting a lot for the money.

Provider Response

Caringvisitor002145332

Merrill Gardens is very nice, neat, and clean. They have a transitioning unit. If you can cook, they have spaces for that, and if you are on the onset of dementia, they have a section for that, too. The pricing I was given was very good; however, I’m not sure if that’s going to be the right price. It’s right near where I live, and it could be a better fit for my mom.

Provider Response

Kelly41

I like how open and clean Merrill Gardens at Gilroy was, and how amazing the staff was, too. The food was really good. The activity level that they offered was amazing, with both indoor and outdoor activities, like movie nights with movie-theater-type chairs and trips to hairdressers and Bonfante Gardens. They have a calendar up on the wall, and each day they have different activities, with certain things that you have to sign up for in advance. It's a great place. The tour itself was fantastic. They have transportation for everything. The only drawback was that the rooms were a little too small for my mother's liking.

Provider Response

FRUSTRATED PROSPECTIVE CLIENT

We walked in for a surprised tour of the carehome for my Dad. No one to welcome us and we have to walk around and look for someone. Finally spoke with a lady who was not only rushing us but not giving us the right answers! We walked out! Forget it!

Provider Response

Family member13

We went to Merrill Gardens, and it was great. We’ve had the apartment for five months, but my family member has been in the hospital, so he hasn’t really moved in yet. His furniture is there, and he’s probably moving in sometime next week. They have a barber shop and a salon, an exercise room and exercise classes, a computer room, and really nice amenities, but they don’t have a spa.

Cindy M.1

Merrill Gardens at Gilroy was the first we visited. It was a nice facility, but it was way too big. I visited the memory care, and it was like they were in a rehab center. The people who gave us the tour talked down to the residents. They were treating them like babies, e.g., “You’re so cute.” We didn’t like it. I didn’t care for it. It did not have the family-feeling, basically. The room was just a small room. It was clean. You bring in your own stuff.

Provider Response

Caring113469750

I liked Merrill Gardens at Gilroy better than the other one. It seemed more cheerful, homey, and cozy. I saw a couple of rooms, and one room that was occupied, and I was impressed with the ambience and the feel of it. The food was good also.

Provider Response

T. Palmer

I had a good visit with Village Green (Merrill Gardens of Gilroy). They gave a very thorough tour. It was a very nice facility. It was my preference because it was closer to me. I liked what I saw. The problem was the availability. They gave preference to people who were already there to move in to the memory care unit, so the wait list was quite long. That was my only concern, but the facility itself was fine. They were very great. They were very gracious. I just hoped they had more availability because they had a good facility, and I really enjoyed the folks. I had nothing negative to say about them.

Louise22

He chose Merrill Gardens at Gilroy (Village Green of Gilroy). The staff is amazing. They are always receptive. The residents seemed fairly happy and engaged, which I love. The place itself is very nice. It is only 5 years old. It is like a great structure that is well built with windows everywhere. It is very comfortable. He has a studio, and it is very neat. They refurbished it for him before he moved in.

Provider Response

Barbara110886050

Merrill Gardens at Gilroy(Village Green of Gilroy) is amazing. It is only 5 years old. Everything is purely clean and new. It has a lot of quality in terms of structure. The rooms are very nice. They have been very helpful. It seems like it is going to be very good.

Provider Response

Beth35

We chose Village Green for my mother because it is closest to my house. The staff was very nice, and helpful. I wish their rooms were a little bigger, but they were very nice, clean, pretty fixtures like granite and stuff. The room that is for my mom has a fountain outdoors and lots of greenery, lots of windows. They were watching a movie in the movie room when we went through.

Provider Response

Caring102459250

Village Green of Gilroy is a very large place, but my friend has a nice one-bedroom apartment, she was able to get some of her furniture moved in, they have very good food, and she is happy with that. They provided her with a watch that she just pushes a button and someone will come to assist her. That's when she fell and broke her pelvis and was in an acute hospital for several weeks. She didn't qualify for Medicare by two days and couldn't do anything about it, so she went back to the assisted living facility with additional assistance, and so far they seem to be doing very well with her. We spent a good amount of time getting things arranged for her, but it worked out, and that is the important thing. The reason why I am a little bit hesitant is because they did not tell us in advance about all of the extra charges, and they assured her that she would have transportation to appointments -- well, she has it, but she has to pay for it. There was some miscommunication in terms of getting things set up for her. There are several other things that are questionable, but overall it is an excellent place. The atmosphere of the assisted living facility is wonderful; there is no question. Their food preparation is excellent. She has a very nice apartment, it is a very nice place, and they have lots and lots of activities.

Provider Response

Leslie35

My sister and brother found Village Green of Gilroy, and I was impressed. It’s very clean, welcoming, and it seems very well organized. My mother is getting the level of assistance she needs right now which is fairly minimal. There is a large dining facility that has very tasty food and accommodates a lot of people. She is in an assisted living, one bedroom apartment, which is very comfortable, has a nice view, and its handicapped accessible. The food is well-prepared and looks appealing. There are accommodations made for diet; you can tell because it’s mildly spiced. The staff was very friendly and attentive; I think we have a little bit of trouble at first with her getting the level of service she needed and the attention she needed, but once she sorted that they have been very good.

daughterobetty

The only complaint I have - and it is a big one - is that we specifically asked if there was internet access geared to seniors.... a computer interface that is easy to use. There is not. The computers available and their interface are almost unusable event to me - who works on computers all the time. In this day and age this is ridiculous and isolating for my mother. And.. they clearly promise something they do not provide.

David35

At the time we visited Village Green of Gilroy, we didn't know what level of care we needed and they offered everything. The grounds were all secured and gated but wide enough for the people to walk around. They had medical personnel and staff as well as physical therapy. They had their own rooms. The food looked okay. They also had activities for the people to participate in like chair exercises and water aerobics. I liked the facility because it was clean and it smelled good. I would recommend it to others, if they had the money.

commercesd

While in the area, we made a stop at the Village Green assisted living facility. Even though we didn't have an appointment, the staff was friendly and accommodating. The spacious grounds were well kept. We liked the way the main area was decorated with fresh flowers. We got to see the diverse staff and residents which seemed to include people at various levels of care. No one was separated out the staff simply attended to those who needed it more. This was nice so that they could all fraternize easily. We noticed that at some places, there could be a tendency to separate people according to their physical ability. The staff pointed out that residents are regularly invited to participate in everything there is to offer from outings to indoor games, films and reading groups. Staff seemed to be willing to accommodate any resident need. The nicely appointed private spaces were all fresh and seemed newly decorated. Indoor areas were all homey. Most of the seniors seemed very active which will suit our aunt well. There was a variety of types of food available for example, meal choices ranged from a complete meal to snacks or lighter fare, for those who wanted it. Every dietary concern seemed to be well addressed. We were offered some snacks to try which were very good: fresh vegetables with a dip, some fruit and hard boiled eggs. Every effort is made to ensure that all residents are taken care of nutritionally. The facility encourages family members to visit regularly and participate in some of the annual activities, such as barbeques and holiday parties. We really liked this facility and would recommend that anyone interested check it out.

Caring466732

In my opinion I feel Village Greens of Gilroy is one of the nicer facilities in the Gilroy area. Truly any nature oriented or country person would love to live in a facility like this. I find walking as an outdoor benefit for seniors a huge bonus so I really enjoyed the nature path right behind the facility. It is a bit more peaceful than walking down a noisy street and also to take a leisurely stroll through their independent living neighborhood is pleasant as well. I thought the surrounding mountains are really very pretty to look at especially at sunset and if you like to golf well there is a course right down the street, Eagle Ridge. We like to golf so to have this amenity close when going to visit residents was a huge bonus. When I was inside the one bedroom unit I felt it was nice, modern, but a bit small. The amenities inside the unit were clean and the layout was good but you cannot bring too much of your previous home with you. Due to the size of the one bedrooms company of more than 3 feels a bit squished in there. The independent living units are a nice size. The 2 bedroom upstairs/downstairs units felt very home like. The neighborhood feel with this independent living didn't feel as if you were even in an assisted living facility environment. There is a little front yard and a tiny backyard. They do have garages, which is great for those who downsized but need the extra storage space. The activities provided by the activities department were very well organized. They have activities and entertainment all year long but in the summertime they have a few weeks where they bring in entertainment and food for the residents and their family or friends. I got a laugh to see the female residents swoon with the Dean Martin imitator. They have music and dancing which it is always awesome to see the residents participate in. It was great to see family members come and spend the day with relatives in this manner. The food was very good, and always plentiful. The staff is very kind, respectful, helpful and caring. They have a large activity room and a computer for their residents to use. There is a security gate so there is added safety. We found the parking is ample. The location is a bit off the freeway, but again I would say this facility would be for someone who likes the country life. There is shopping and restaurants within driving distance for seniors. The one thing you may want to keep an eye out for is that is does get hotter in Gilroy than in the bay area and the summer months can be tough.