
The Lake Merritt - Independent Senior Living
Offers Independent Living and Continuing Care Communities
Reviews of The Lake Merritt - Independent Senior Living
Independent Living Reviews for The Lake Merritt - Independent Senior Living
January 09, 2022
I visited this facility
May 25, 2021
I visited this facility
Provider Response
Thanks for the kind words. We are so fortunate to have a great cheerful staff, all who have been here a long time. It is true the restaurant is great. It has been voted the best view restaurant in Oakland! Every apartment has lovely tall ceilings, a full kitchen, and light-filled spaces. People love living here! There are about 30 interesting programs every week; a gym; library; hair salon; spa; and about 8 movies a week. And just outside the door is Lake Merritt with its 140 acres of lake and park!
April 12, 2019
I visited this facility
August 23, 2017
I visited this facility
Provider Response
Dear Ron - Thank you for your kind words. Our residents are happy and active!
June 27, 2016
I visited this facility
Provider Response
Dear Anonymous - Thank you for your comments. You are correct. The Lake Merritt is a historic landmark in the City of Oakland. We were built in 1927, and recently renovated the common areas and each apartment in 2007-2008. We are located in downtown Oakland. We have parking available for residents, and it has been plentiful for our community since we opened. The Terrace Room Restaurant & Bar is a real restaurant, and open to the public. Our residents do dine in the restaurant along with our other customers. We are strictly independent living. Our residents do hire additional care independently of our community to help them as they age in place. Thanks again for your comments.
May 10, 2016
I visited this facility
Provider Response
Dear Anne - Thank you for your kind words. It is true that we do not have extensive grounds, as we are in downtown Oakland, a very exciting and vibrant scene. But we do have a small area in the front of the property that faces Lake Merritt. In this area, we have two (2) benches, and many of our residents sit on these benches to enjoy the sun, air and the people watching. There are trails that surround Lake Merritt. It has a wonderful park with bocce courts, public gardens that permit citizens to garden a plot of land, and much more. Thanks again.
November 04, 2015
I visited this facility
February 09, 2015
I visited this facility
January 27, 2014
I am/was a resident of this facility
January 27, 2014
I am/was a resident of this facility
January 23, 2014
I am/was a resident of this facility
Questions about The Lake Merritt - Independent Senior Living
Describe the overall population of independent living residents at The Lake Merritt - Independent Senior Living. What is their average age? What are their favorite things to do?
Our resident are so unique. The ages of our residents range from 70 - 96 years of age. Our programming/activities are resident-driven so they give an excellent picture of what our residents like to do. We have monthly trips to museums/art galleries, parks, live theater, as well as movie trips. We have up to 23 activities per week which include art classes, book club, album club, political discussion group, English tutoring of local Oakland residents, philosophy discussion group, 6 different exercise classes which include yoga, tai chi, aerobics, etc. We have resident facilitated activities such as meditation sessions and craft classes.
What places are nearby for independent living residents to enjoy?
The Lake Merritt is in the middle of it all in uptown Oakland. We sit on Lake Merritt - the Jewel of Oakland - and its 155 acres including a bird sanctuary. We are 4-5 blocks from 2 different BART (Bay Area Rapid Station) stations and many AC Transit bus lines. We are walking distance from the Oakland Museum, the Main Oakland Library, Cathedral of Light, and a plethora of restaurants in Uptown Oakland district. We are an easy distance from major shopping areas of Oakland - Grand Avenue, Piedmont Avenue, Rockridge, and Lakeshore Avenue.
What are some recent off-site events that the community activity director at The Lake Merritt - Independent Senior Living has organized?
Our programming is quite unique, as it is entirely resident driven. We center our programming on what our residents are interested in. Our programming director provides: 1) Destination day trips to places like Napa, Benecia, Angel Island and more. 2) Monthly dining trips to local watering holes and fine dining establishments 3) Live cinema screenings of the Metropolitan Opera, National Theater, and more 4) Monthly nature walks such as Baker Beach, Redwood Park, and more 5) Berkeley lectures and storytelling events, such as Ethics & Justice undergraduate studies at UC, Berkeley Book Festival and The Moth in Berkeley 6) Mystery Tour - These tours are entirely a surprise and include many stops and remarkable activities throughout Oakland, all created by our own Programming Director. These tours are always sold-out, and rather famous within our community.
What transportation services does The Lake Merritt - Independent Senior Living offer to independent living residents?
We offer transportation within an 8 mile radius of The Lake Merritt. Transportation is offered 7 days per week from 8:30am - 5:00pm. We have 2-3 regularly shopping trips each week. The transportation is first come-first serve.
What makes the chef or dining program at The Lake Merritt - Independent Senior Living exceptional? What kind of menu can independent living residents expect?
The dining experience at The Lake Merritt is different than what you will find in any senior community. Our Terrace Room Restaurant & Bar is a restaurant that is open to the public. Our residents dine in this restaurant as well and enjoy restaurant quality dining. We are closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays. On these days, our Chef provides themed meals, such as Japanese, Chinese, Mexican, and other ethnic foods for variety.
What common areas are available for independent living residents?
The Lake Merritt has many additional areas for residents to use. Our community room is our multi-purpose room which we use for many of our 23 weekly activities. We have a resident managed library. We offer a conference room for our residents to use for meetings. Our Family Room is for movies and television watching. This room also has our computer lab and is used for other discussion groups. We have an exercise room. There is also a spa room that has a special bathtub with a seat that can be elevated for ease of use. It has a fireplace and heated floors. There is another section of the spa room that is used for haircuts, manicures, pedicures, and more.
What safety features or security measures does The Lake Merritt - Independent Senior Living offer to independent living residents?
The Lake Merritt provides a pendant system free of charge for each resident. This pendant is worn by the resident to be used in case of emergency. We have 24/7 concierge service. Our concierge contacts each resident to ensure that each resident is up and about in the community on a daily basis. We provide each resident a FOB for the elevator so that only residents (and staff) may have access to the resident floors above the main floor.
If The Lake Merritt - Independent Senior Living accepts dogs or cats, what indoor/outdoor areas can they enjoy?
We accept both dogs and cats. We do interview the dogs to make certain that they can reside in a community. Within a 2 block radius, the City of Oakland is building a dog park which is very exciting to our current dogs and their owners. The Lake Merritt sits right on Lake Merritt which is 155 acres. There is a walking path that surrounds the lake.
Does The Lake Merritt - Independent Senior Living work with an agency or registry to provide nursing and medical assistance as needed?
The Lake Merritt can provide a list of preferred partners for our residents if they require any medical or non-medical assistance. The Lake Merritt is an independent living community, but we encourage our residents to age in place. Several of our residents use care givers to help them with specific task.
Costs for The Lake Merritt - Independent Senior Living
Services and Amenities of The Lake Merritt - Independent Senior Living
Room and housing options
- 1-bedroom apartments
- Studio Apartments
Dining options
- Dining Extra: Full Kitchens
Features
- Beauty Barber Shop
- Computer Room
- Resident Transportation
- Resident Parking
- Features Extra: Lake Front Viewing And Walking Path; Gym; Library; Media Room ; And Spa
Technology and entertainment
- Cable In Rooms
Activities
- Fitness Room
Guest services
- Guests At Mealtime
- Overnight Guests
General
- Resident Capacity: 46
Costs
About The Lake Merritt - Independent Senior Living
YOUR NEW HOME ON THE LAKE - Small and Intimate Yet Grand
Our special one-of-a-kind independent lifestyle community is designed for older adults who want to remain active and engaged in life, yet are ready for an easier lifestyle. Now, residents can have more time and energy for the things they really enjoy: family members and grandchildren, outings with friends and outside interests and activities. At The Lake Merritt, residents will discover a new community of people to enjoy life with.
- Large beautiful apartment homes, many with views of the lake, designed for vibrant gracious living with Art Deco touches
- Delicious food featuring fresh, healthy, restaurant-quality dining at our Terrace Room Restaurant, which is open to the public.
- Unique programming, and services including 24-hour on-site concierge.
- Scheduled transportation within 8 miles
- Home Care partners available to help as you "age in place."
Dining that is different than all the rest!
- Every day our residents dine in our stunning restaurant with an unparalleled view: The Terrace Room.
- Residents enjoy delicious meals prepared by our dedicated culinary team.
- Our restaurant is open to the public bringing extra enjoyment to daily living.
- The atmosphere is welcoming, intergenerational and reflective of the greater community.
- Meals are prepared with seasonally-fresh, locally-sourced meats and produce.
- The bar and lounge area offers a great place to entertain family and friends.
- Residents receive quality restaurant dining services and special menu options.
- The Terrace Room can provide meals with reduced sodium, reduced fat, low sugar and will assist with other special dietary needs.