Brickyard Healthcare - Merrillville Care Center
Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.
based on 43 Google reviews
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Quality Concerns Identified
Medicare inspection and quality data reveal areas that families should carefully evaluate before choosing this facility.
- Low overall rating (1/5 stars)
- Low staffing rating (2/5 stars)
- Above-median deficiencies (11 vs median 6)
Bottom 25% in IN · Below recommended RN staffing · Worst in BRICKYARD HEALTHCARE chain · No penalties on record
What this means for your family
While the admissions and social services team is frequently praised for their helpfulness, the facility faces critical reports regarding nursing responsiveness and hygiene. We strongly advise families to conduct unannounced visits during weekends or evening shifts to verify the quality of care, as multiple reviewers have highlighted significant lapses in basic medical and sanitary standards.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
43 reviews on Google“Brickyard Healthcare - Merrillville Care Center receives highly polarized feedback, with some families praising specific staff members like Jemai for smooth transitions, while others report severe neglect and safety concerns. Critical reviews frequently cite issues with hygiene, slow response times for call buttons, and inadequate medical care, leading to serious health complications for residents. Families considering this facility should be aware of the stark contrast between the positive administrative experiences and the reported failures in daily nursing care.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Helpful and communicative administrative/social services staff
- Clean, well-lit physical environment
- Effective physical therapy and rehab services
- Some genuinely caring and dedicated nursing staff
Concerns
- Slow or non-existent response to call buttons (mentioned by 4 reviewers)
- Poor hygiene and lack of wound care/sanitation (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
- Poor communication and difficulty reaching staff by phone (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
- Inadequate medical oversight leading to health decline (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 47 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
This facility actively engages with reviewer feedback.
Questions for Your Tour
- 1I noticed the administration is very responsive to feedback; how does the leadership team involve families in the care planning process?
- 2What specific protocols are in place to ensure call buttons are answered promptly, especially during shift changes?
- 3Could you tell me more about your current processes for wound care and maintaining daily hygiene standards for residents?
- 4How does the nursing team manage medication schedules to ensure everything is administered accurately and on time?
- 5What are some of the favorite daily activities or social outings that residents enjoy here?
- 6In the event of a medical emergency or a sudden change in health, what is the immediate communication process for notifying the family?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“Her toilet had someone else’s diarrhea and urine under the toilet seat. You could see that it had not been cleaned before she checked in. The whole place reeks like pee.”
“My sister fell three times there and the last time sent her to the hospital where she died. My sister died on their watch and they didn't even h”
“They almost killed him. The Doctors who gave him his admission examination at the Veterans Home said he fortunate that he did not have to stay there much long because they were obviously not giving him proper treatment”
Staffing
Staffing Hours
per resident/day · Medicare 2026Both RN and total nursing hours are below national benchmarks. This can mean less clinical attention per resident, so ask about their staffing plan.
Quality Measures
Quality Measures
Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures
12
measures
4
measures
1
measures
Residents vaccinated for the flu
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents on antipsychotic medication
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
Residents needing more daily help over time
Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics
US average from Medicare published data
Inspection History
Medicare Inspection History
3-year lookback · Medicare 2026
This facility has recurring problems with multiple family complaints filed over recent years, including recent concerns about abuse and neglect protection. The main care issues involve medication management, infection control, and wound/pressure ulcer care, with these problems persisting across multiple surveys despite corrections. Families have specifically reported concerns about treatment quality, wound care, respiratory care, and living environment safety, indicating ongoing challenges in basic care areas.
Feb 24, 2026Complaint1
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Jan 15, 2026Complaint1
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Aug 8, 2025Routine12
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Environmental Deficiencies
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have proper fire barriers, ventilation and signs for the transfilling of oxygen.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Jan 3, 2025Complaint1
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Aug 2, 2024Complaint2
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Plan the resident's discharge to meet the resident's goals and needs.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Jun 14, 2024Routine16
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Egress Deficiencies
Meet other general requirements that are deficient.
Environmental Deficiencies
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Egress Deficiencies
Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Services Deficiencies
Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have proper fire barriers, ventilation and signs for the transfilling of oxygen.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Assist a resident in gaining access to vision and hearing services.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Brickyard Healthcare - Merrillville Care Center
for profit
Chain Affiliation
Brickyard Healthcare
23 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 2.5/5 · Rank 19 of 23 (Worst)
Ownership & Management
Key personnel
Contact
Get in Touch
Contact this facility directly and verify the details that matter most to your family.
References & Resources
Medicare Care Compare
Official Medicare quality ratings, inspections & staffing data
Google Maps
Photos, directions & neighborhood info
Google Reviews
43 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit brickyardhc.com
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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Safer Alternatives Nearby
Based on current clinical data, we identified 6 nearby facilities within 10 miles that may offer a stronger care environment. We encourage families to compare options carefully.
Spring Mill Health Campus
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Lincolnshire Health & Rehabilitation Center
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Crown Point Health Campus
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