Merrill Gardens At Columbia

Pros

• The facility at Merrill Gardens at Columbia was described as neat and clean.
• The staff was friendly and cordial, providing excellent service.
• The rooms were nice and well-laid out, with amenities such as washers and dryers.
• The community had various activities rooms, physical therapy services, a beauty salon, and a media center.
• The natural light in the community made it bright and welcoming.
• The food at Merrill Gardens at Columbia was described as phenomenal and enjoyable.
• The facility had a beautiful setting with a pond, walking area, and views of a baseball field.
• The staff were knowledgeable, helpful, and kept family members informed about their loved ones' well-being.
• Open house visits were available for potential residents to tour the facility.
• Residents enjoyed three-course meals, snacks in between, and various activities each day.
• The rooms were pleasant and comfortable, with emergency alert systems available for residents' safety.

Cons

• The staff seemed to be more focused on independent living and pushed for that instead of assisted living.
• The rooms were not set up properly for assisted living, with amenities like stoves being more suitable for independent living.
• The activities and services were geared towards the independent living residents, leaving limited options for those in assisted living.
• The lack of a dedicated floor for assisted living and the overall focus on independent living was concerning.
• The tour guide was not knowledgeable or able to answer important questions about the facility.
• The lighting was poor in Merrill Gardens at Columbia and the residents appeared unenthusiastic.
• The atmosphere did not feel homey or welcoming, with a more modern and commercial feel.
• Some residents seemed to be in the wrong section of care, giving an impression of mismatched levels of independence.

Review

Merrill Gardens at Columbia is a senior living community located in a nice area with neat facilities. While the staff was friendly, it was evident that their primary focus is on independent living rather than assisted living. The rooms are well-designed for independent living but lack the necessary amenities for those in need of assisted care. With only 15 residents in assisted living out of four floors, it seems that assisted living is an afterthought at this facility.

The community offers various activities and an activity director who primarily focuses on independent living residents. This leaves those in assisted living with limited options for participation. The lack of differentiation between the independent and assisted living sections extends to the layout of the rooms as well, which are essentially the same.

Despite these limitations, Merrill Gardens at Columbia does have some positive aspects. It's a newer facility that provides washers and dryers in each unit, allowing for convenience and independence. The staff is friendly and accommodating, and the residents are welcoming and sociable. The food quality stands out as excellent, which can be a challenging aspect to please everyone.

The community offers amenities such as physical therapy, a beauty salon, media center, and various activity rooms. Assisted living residents receive a hot breakfast, while all residents enjoy three meals a day prepared by an on-site chef. Transportation services are available along with cable internet access.

The physical appearance of Merrill Gardens at Columbia receives praise from visitors as it's described as beautiful, new, clean, and well-laid out. There's ample space within the community premises with added attractions like a pond and walking area around it. However, some individuals feel that the lighting could be improved.

Individual preferences play a significant role when choosing senior living communities; therefore, opinions may vary based on personal needs and expectations. Nevertheless, Merrill Gardens at Columbia appears to provide value for money compared to other similar establishments in terms of amenities offered within reasonable rates.

In conclusion, Merrill Gardens at Columbia is generally regarded as a clean, modern, and spacious senior living community. While it seems more focused on independent living than assisted care, the staff is friendly, and the food is highly praised. The availability of various amenities and activities adds to the overall appeal of the facility. However, there are some areas for improvement such as better differentiation between independent and assisted living sections and addressing lighting concerns. Overall, it seems like a promising option for those seeking a senior living community in the area.

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.3 miles)
• Starbucks (1.2 miles)
• Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea Park St (1.6 miles)
• Drip (1.6 miles)
• The Corner Blend (1.9 miles)
• Piecewise Coffee (3.3 miles)

Physicians

• Columbia Eye Clinic (0.5 miles)
• Free Medical Clinic (0.5 miles)
• South Carolina Urological Consultants (0.5 miles)
• Edward A Woody MD (0.5 miles)
• Palmetto Health Neurology (0.5 miles)
• UCI Medical Affiliates (0.5 miles)
• Carolina Allergy & Asthma Consultants (0.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Palmeto Senior Care: John D Marsh (0.8 miles)
• Hawthorne Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Judy, Andrea (1.3 miles)
• Finklin Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.8 miles)
• Transmission Arcade (0.9 miles)
• Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits (0.9 miles)
• Cantina 76 on Main (1.2 miles)
• Bourbon (1.3 miles)
• The Whig (1.3 miles)
• Cola's (1.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Sleep Med (1 miles)

Transportation

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (1.3 miles)

Parks

• Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park (1.6 miles)
• West Columbia Riverwalk (2.3 miles)
• Hollywood Park (2.4 miles)
• Saluda Riverwalk (3.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (2.6 miles)
• St Joseph's Catholic Church (2.7 miles)