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Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.
based on 76 Google reviews
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These current public-data fields deserve follow-up with the facility and the official Medicare record. They are not a clinical risk score or a substitute for an in-person assessment.
This facility has areas of concern that warrant careful consideration. Registered Nurse hours are 52% of the EveryPlace reference benchmark; ask how RN coverage is allocated across shifts. The latest standard survey recorded 22 findings, above the KS average of 10.1. We recommend asking the administrator directly: "How are you addressing recent staffing shortfalls?" These are not reasons to panic, but they are reasons to ask tough questions and visit in person.
Merriam Gardens Healthcare & Rehabilitation receives highly polarized feedback, with many reviewers praising the therapy department and individual staff members, while others report severe lapses in basic care and hygiene. Families frequently cite concerns regarding food quality, slow response times, and inconsistent attention to resident needs. While some visitors note recent improvements under new administration, the facility continues to face serious allegations regarding sanitation and staffing reliability.
Quality Themes
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Concerns
Rating Trends
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Distribution · 81 analyzed
This facility rarely responds to reviews.
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“The therapists were awesome and helped him get much stronger via physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy. After completing rehab, he was there for about a month while trying to find placement at a facility closer to where I live.”
“The food is not hot and is barely warm. 95% of everything comes out of a box from the freezer. After being seated in the dining room I have waited up an hour and a half to be served my meal.”
“My father-in-law went there in the afternoon and by 8 o’clock at night they had left him to urinate all over himself have no help getting out of bed at all and one of the attendants stole his phone.”
Both RN and total nursing hours are below the EveryPlace reference benchmarks. Ask the facility how it staffs each shift for current resident needs.
Reference benchmarks (0.75 RN and 4.1 total nursing hours per resident/day) are comparison targets, not current federal minimum requirements.
Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures
8
measures
9
measures
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
Residents on antipsychotic medication
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents needing more daily help over time
Residents who fell and were seriously hurt
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
Detailed Medicare record · up to 3-year lookback
This facility shows concerning patterns with 83 deficiencies across five surveys and families have filed complaints that triggered inspections. Recurring issues span resident care areas including medication management, nursing supervision, nutrition services, infection control, and maintaining a safe environment. Problems with food safety, staff oversight, and fire safety systems persist across multiple surveys, though all identified deficiencies have correction dates from the provider indicating efforts to address issues.
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.
Construction Deficiencies
Satisfy building requirements after a repair, renovation, modification, or change of user/occupancy.
Egress Deficiencies
Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Establish policies and procedures for volunteers.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Provide primary/alternate means for communication.
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
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to organize and participate in resident/family groups in the facility.
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.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Environmental Deficiencies
Keep all essential equipment working safely.
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.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
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.
Administration Deficiencies
Arrange for the provision of hospice services or assist the resident in transferring to a facility that will arrange for the provision of hospice services.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Include a process for Emergency Preparedness collaboration.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Develop Emergency Preparedness policies and procedures.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Establish policies and procedures including evacuation.
Smoke Deficiencies
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Services Deficiencies
Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
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.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to organize and participate in resident/family groups in the facility.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
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
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 enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Provide each resident with a nourishing, palatable, well-balanced diet that meets his or her daily nutritional and special dietary needs.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Conduct risk assessment and an All-Hazards approach.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Include a process for Emergency Preparedness collaboration.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
Egress Deficiencies
Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
Smoke Deficiencies
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Federal Penalties
Fine
Nov 5, 2024
$14,043
Fine
Feb 12, 2024
$4,893
Fine
Jan 22, 2024
$14,679
Fine
Nov 20, 2023
$4,587
Fine
Nov 13, 2023
$4,545
Fine
Nov 6, 2023
$4,545
Fine
Oct 30, 2023
$4,545
Fine
Oct 23, 2023
$4,545
Fine
Oct 17, 2023
$4,545
Fine
Sep 25, 2023
$13,635
Merriam Gardens Healthcare & Rehabilitation
for profit
Recover-Care Healthcare
27 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 2.5/5 · Rank 21 of 25 (Lowest rating)
Key personnel
Contact this facility directly and verify the details that matter most to your family.
Medicare Care Compare
Official Medicare quality ratings, inspections & staffing data
Google Maps
Photos, directions & neighborhood info
Google Reviews
76 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit merriamgardenshrc.com
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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