Merrill Gardens at Madison

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.

I would pop in and some places wanted you to have an appt or it wasn't clean. MG had no issue with me popping in at any time and I was never disappointed. They answered all my questions and more as I thought of things. It doesn't matter what time of the day you drop in to visit there's always friendly faces, clean smell and elderly people living there having a good time.

Mom has been living at Merrill Gardens a little over a month. She is really enjoying all the activities offered and typically gets involved in at least one or two a day. Food choices and the quality of the meals is exceptional. Staff has gone above and beyond to provide a great experience for all their residents. Leaving home is a very difficult decision but Merrill Gardens has made the transition much easier.

This community is caring and offers all the services needed in assisted living. The staff truly cares & know everyone's name!! The restaurant style dining (all day, 7am - 7pm), is fabulous!

It's a very nice facility. The apartment sizes and amenities offered for residents are good - However there were recent increases to fees.

The facility is beautiful and is located in a convenient place, there is a hospital near by and several stores and restaurants. The staff are very helpful and friendly. My father loves the variety of meals available each day.

I recently picked my mother up from where she lives at Merrille Gardens to stay at my home out of state. I was told they did not have enough of her meds on hand to last until I brought her back and would overnight them to me. They did not arrive and I’ve called this facility for over 6 hours straight, no one answers, goes to voicemail. I’ve left 3 voicemails now and still heard from no one. My mother has serious medical conditions and cannot live without her meds. Unbelievable this is the type service or lack thereof! Can’t imagine the residents are getting the type care they need if there’s no one even there to answer or return calls!!

The areas we think they could improve on would be to perhaps explain to the family and patient, what is the criteria for no longer being able to care for a resident? That way the resident might attempt more control over his environment.

I would tell others that the memory care section is very small. If your loved one is on the second floor, they cannot get to the outside garden area without having to get through a locked door, through the elevator and downstairs. Someone also has to be able to accompany you. They keep including that on the website and pamphlets and it is misleading. Due to our experience, I would not recommend this facility.

We love Merrill Gardens at Madison, and mom is doing wonderful there. The community has a great assisted living care side but our loved one is on memory care and they have such great activities. They have different scheduled activities that really get mom out of her room and keep staying active and involved with other residents. She has a place that feels like her own which has been great .

All I know is my loved one is picky and loves it there. I picked this community because, it was more personable, and they didn't seem agitated that I dropped in at different times unannounced with questions I had and always saw the same! Plus other residents came up and told me what a great place it is. Then when my loved one toured with me, the residents came up to and made them feel at home and we were just looking at that point. My loved one is very happy, so I am happy! Very welcoming place from the moment you step up to the front desk!

There is no complaints. The interaction with the staff is excellent. The breakfast is the greatest meal. The meal schedule is a primary reason, that we picked Merrill. They have an open dining area. They sometimes have a staffing shortage in the dining area. The value for the money is good. I am happy with the community.

So far so good! My brother is enjoying the place and actually really enjoys the meals that are served, he has gained some weight. The staff have been very accommodating, especially with the food. I would definitely recommend Merrill Gardens at Madison to others.

I am very well satisfied with Merrill Gardens. There are always things that are not as you would like them to be wherever you go, but I am very pleased with my experience. As a new residents coming in it would be great if there were a list of things that you should know, just general every day things. I think that would be really helpful. In comparison to other places I have had experience with, I would definitely recommend this community to others.