Merritt Manor Convalescent Hospital

Pros

• The staff at the facility are friendly and engage actively with the residents, playing games and taking them for walks.
• The newly built playground provides a wonderful space for grandkids to play while their relatives can enjoy watching them.
• The garden area is well-maintained, allowing residents to participate in gardening and contributing to meals served daily.
• Each resident enjoys privacy with single-occupancy rooms, which was a significant factor in choosing this facility.
• Residents have the freedom to personalize their rooms through painting and decorating as they wish.
• The facility takes the time to understand each resident's needs and fosters relationships with their families.

Cons

• The facility has a slight odor throughout, which can be unsettling for visitors and residents alike.
• Some of the employees did not actively engage with visitors or patients, leading to a lack of warmth in the atmosphere.
• The outdoor patio for smokers and relaxation is poorly maintained, with picnic tables featuring peeling paint.
• There seems to be an inconsistency in the quality of care and attention given to this facility compared to others owned by the corporation.
• The reliance on ambulances for medical appointments leads to unnecessary costs, which could be avoided with private transportation options.

Review

The decision to choose an assisted living facility for a loved one is often filled with uncertainty and concern. In the case of my grandmother, our initial hesitation stemmed from the unknown aspects of such a place. However, after numerous visits and interactions with staff, we began to feel more at ease. The warmth and friendliness exhibited by the staff members truly made a difference in our perception of the facility. They actively engage with residents, participating in games and accompanying them on walks, which fosters a nurturing environment that feels welcoming.

One highlight of the facility is its commitment to creating family-friendly spaces. A new playground has been built specifically for visiting grandchildren, allowing them to play while their grandparents relax nearby. This thoughtful addition not only enhances intergenerational connections but also provides a sense of community that many families appreciate during visits. Furthermore, there is an impressive garden area where residents can lend a hand in maintaining plants that contribute to the meals served daily. This involvement not only cultivates a sense of purpose among residents but also encourages healthy eating habits.

Though the rooms are relatively small, one significant advantage of this facility is its provision of single occupancy rooms for each resident—a crucial factor in our decision-making process. Personalization is encouraged; residents have the freedom to paint and decorate their rooms as they wish, allowing them to create spaces that reflect their individual personalities and histories. Such autonomy can make a substantial difference in how comfortable and at home an individual feels in these settings.

However, there are areas where I believe improvements could be made. One particular concern involves transportation arrangements for medical appointments. Despite having easy access to a hospital located just next door, residents who require transport often rely on ambulance services—even those capable of walking—resulting in costly trips averaging around $600 per visit simply to navigate from one parking lot to another. It would be greatly beneficial if arrangements could be established that allow for private transportation options or even shuttle services catered specifically for residents' needs.

In contrast to my positive observations about my grandmother's facility, it’s worth mentioning some experiences shared by others regarding different facilities known for being busy environments accommodating approximately 100 beds with semi-private rooms. While security measures—including locked doors—provide peace of mind, concerns regarding maintenance surface through observations surrounding employee engagement levels and overall cleanliness within communal areas like hallways and activity rooms were noted by visitors.

Residents seated in wheelchairs populate the corridors, accompanied by slight odors indicating possible neglect of cleanliness standards or air circulation issues within shared spaces—a stark contrast against my earlier experiences where attentiveness prevailed among staff members interacting with seniors singularly or in smaller groups. Although there appears to be active programming occurring—such as sing-along activities intended for entertainment—there's palpable room for improvement regarding how employees connect with both patients and visitors alike.

Moreover, outdoor amenities meant for relaxation appear neglected too; peeling paint on picnic tables suggests less attention paid towards upkeep compared to other facilities owned by the same corporation operating this establishment—a detail some reviewers felt indicated prioritization issues affecting common quality standards across locations under corporate governance. Consequently fostering some feelings amongst visitors about potential disparities between places representing similar care missions.

Ultimately though differing impressions lingered through these evaluations—from heartwarming accounts about care practices specifically demonstrated at my grandmother’s residence versus observed shortcomings elsewhere—it becomes clear: choosing an assisted living community requires careful consideration beyond immediate appearances alone but rather focusing largely on how respective caregivers unite with their corresponding charges toward establishing genuine connections amidst every challenging transition life presents us along this journey together.

Physicians

• Tulare Pediatric Group (0.1 miles)
• Lonnie Ray Smith (0.2 miles)
• Tulare Pediatric Group (0.2 miles)
• Tulare Family Wellness Center & Walk-In Clinic (0.2 miles)
• Tulare Family Practice (0.2 miles)
• Sunalp Murad MD (0.3 miles)
• Stanton Optical (5.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Tulare Hospital Foundation (0.1 miles)
• Tulare District Healthcare System - Educational Services, Community & Staff Education (0.2 miles)
• Cypress Surgery Center (6.9 miles)
• Leal John - Kaweah Delta Transitional Care (6.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Alpha Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.2 miles)
• Total Healthy Lifestyle (5.6 miles)
• Save Mart Supermarkets (6.2 miles)
• Walgreens (6.8 miles)

Theaters

• Galaxy Theatres (0.4 miles)
• Regal Visalia Sequoia Mall (5.5 miles)

Cafes

• Hazel's Kitchen (0.9 miles)
• The Human Bean (5.5 miles)
• Gong CHA (5.6 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (6.9 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (7.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Triangle Burgers (1 miles)
• Mariscos Costa Azul 2nd Modem (1 miles)
• Black Bear Diner Tulare (1 miles)
• Taqueria Guadalajara (1.6 miles)
• Valley Drive In (1.8 miles)
• Burger King (1.8 miles)
• Vejar's Mexican Restaurant (2 miles)

Parks

• Perry Family Park (4.9 miles)
• Sunset Park (5.6 miles)
• Blain Park (6.1 miles)
• Whitendale Park (6.5 miles)
• Plaza Park (7.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Gateway Church of Visalia (7.1 miles)
• Evangel Assembly of God (7.2 miles)