Merrill Gardens at Auburn

Pros

• The facility at Merrill Gardens feels comfortable and welcoming, with bright and airy common areas.
• The staff is friendly, helpful, and genuinely concerned about the well-being of the residents.
• Residents enjoy a variety of daily activities designed for happiness and engagement, including games and special outings.
• The apartments are well laid out and equipped with amenities like washers/dryers, ADA bathrooms, and kitchens in 1 & 2 bedroom units.
• Communication with family members is excellent, ensuring they are kept informed about their loved ones.
• Meals are well-prepared with a variety of choices available to residents.
• The community environment is clean, cheerful, and filled with happy residents.
• Security measures are in place to ensure the safety of all residents within the facility.
• Many families find the care quality outstanding and would recommend Merrill Gardens to others seeking assisted living options.

Cons

• The facility suffered from communication issues, as the staff failed to contact a resident’s power of attorney about critical health changes, ultimately leading to a tragic outcome.
• The meals are described as bland and overly salted, with residents expressing discontent regarding the food quality.
• There seems to be a lack of creativity in physical activities, with only basic options like chair aerobics available for residents.
• Some reviewers noted that while the facility is nice, there are concerns about employee retention and the overall quality of care not being perfect.
• A reviewer suggested that although the community is pleasant, it may not be suitable for those who require more active engagement or physical activity due to safety concerns in the surrounding area.

Review

Merrill Gardens at Auburn has garnered a variety of feedback from residents and their families, shaping its reputation as a senior living community that provides a comfortable and welcoming environment. Many reviews highlight the facility's bright and airy common areas, which contribute to an overall feeling of warmth and friendliness. The staff is frequently praised for their helpfulness, professionalism, and genuine care, making the transition into assisted living less daunting for new residents. Several reviewers noted how supportive the staff has been during challenging times, especially throughout the pandemic, when many families were concerned about safety and well-being.

The apartments themselves come in various layouts—studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units—equipped with amenities like washers and dryers as well as ADA-compliant bathrooms. The community is described as clean and secure, featuring wide hallways and many activities tailored to resident engagement. While some residents appreciate the availability of kitchen facilities in larger units, others mentioned that they felt their needs changed over time, leading them to move out after a relatively short occupancy. For some families, economic factors also played a critical role in their decision to leave; they found more affordable arrangements with family support while still appreciating the quality of care received at Merrill Gardens.

A notable aspect of Merrill Gardens is its activity program designed specifically for residents' enjoyment. Reviewers have detailed how activities cater to both individuals and groups while fostering social interaction among residents. However, there were mentions of limitations regarding physical activities available; some felt that programming lacked creativity or variety—for example, primarily offering chair aerobics instead of more physically engaging options like walking groups or outdoor excursions given the facility's urban setting.

Food quality generated mixed reviews among residents. While some praised it as fine dining with attentive service—highlighting chef specialties and accommodating portion sizes—others found it bland or over-salted at times. This blend of opinions indicates room for improvement in meal planning while emphasizing the importance of maintaining high culinary standards given food’s crucial role in overall resident satisfaction.

Moreover, communication between staff members and families emerges as another strong point for Merrill Gardens. Numerous reviewers expressed appreciation for proactive updates regarding loved ones’ health statuses or changes in care needs. Such transparency fosters trust between families and caregivers—a vital component when entrusting someone’s relatives to a dedicated establishment like this one.

Despite these praises, not all feedback was positive; one poignant review detailed a harrowing experience where communication failure resulted disastrously when medical needs went unaddressed following a stroke. This unfortunate situation serves as an important reminder that even otherwise reputable establishments can face significant challenges related to oversight in caregiving responsibilities.

Overall, Merrill Gardens at Auburn represents itself positively among those seeking assisted living solutions for seniors who thrive on social interaction within a supportive community framework. While issues related to food quality and active engagement exist alongside scattered complaints about communication lapses under duress—overall impressions favorably depict this facility characterized by cleanliness, kindness from staff members, vibrant activities scheduled daily while ensuring safety protocols remain strictly enforced amidst ongoing health concerns worldwide.

This part of Auburn, Washington offers a variety of amenities and services that may appeal to seniors looking for a convenient and comfortable living environment. With several healthcare facilities in close proximity, including UW Medicine - Valley Women?s Health and St Francis Hospital, residents have access to quality medical care. Additionally, there are numerous cafes and restaurants nearby for dining options, as well as pharmacies for medication needs. The area also features parks like Steel Lake Park and Springwood Park for leisurely walks or outdoor activities. Overall, this neighborhood provides a mix of healthcare facilities, dining options, recreational spaces, and convenient transportation choices, making it a potentially desirable location for seniors considering senior living in Auburn.

Physicians

• UW Medicine - Valley Women’s Health (0.1 miles)
• Molen Oral & Facial Surgery (1 miles)
• Federal Way Dental (3.7 miles)
• Pediatrics NW (4.5 miles)
• Legacy Medical Aesthetics (4.6 miles)
• Digestive Health Specialists (4.8 miles)
• Wyman Carl MD (4.8 miles)

Cafes

• Auburn Way Big Foot Java (0.2 miles)
• Starbucks (1.1 miles)
• South Auburn Bigfoot Java (2.5 miles)
• Starbucks (4.2 miles)
• Starbucks (5.1 miles)
• Rivers Edge Cafe (7.1 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (7.4 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.5 miles)
• McDonald's (1.1 miles)
• Muckleshoot Casino (1.9 miles)
• 8 - Asian Cuisine (1.9 miles)
• McDonald's (3.5 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (4 miles)
• Wendy's (4 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Moving & Storage (0.6 miles)
• Sumner Station (7.3 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Auburn (0.7 miles)
• AMC Kent Station 14 (5.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Rite Aid (4.1 miles)
• Angel Pharmacy (4.1 miles)
• Walgreens (4.2 miles)
• Walgreens (4.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church Of The Nazarene Auburn (1.8 miles)
• Holy Spirit Parish (5 miles)
• St Theresa's Church (7.2 miles)

Parks

• Lea Hill Park (2.5 miles)
• Steel Lake Park (3.5 miles)
• Lakeland Hills Park (3.5 miles)
• Green View Park (3.9 miles)
• Sunset Park (4.3 miles)
• Springwood Park (4.3 miles)
• French Lake Off-Leash Dog Park (5.1 miles)

Hospitals

• St Francis Hospital (4.4 miles)
• Federal Way Community Dialysis (4.5 miles)
• St Francis Sleep Disorders Clinic (4.7 miles)
• St. Francis Hospital (4.7 miles)