Public Google reviewers rate this highly and often mention warm, professional, and attentive staff. Schedule a visit to confirm the fit.
based on 49 Google reviews

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Public Google reviewers rate Merrill Gardens at Auburn highly. Reviewers highlight: warm, professional, and attentive staff, beautiful, clean, and well-maintained facility. Reviewer identity is not verified, and online reviews may not capture everything. Schedule a visit to assess the fit directly.
Merrill Gardens at Auburn is widely praised for its beautiful, hotel-like atmosphere and a staff that is consistently described as welcoming, professional, and caring. While the vast majority of families and residents report high satisfaction with the facility's environment and care, a small number of reviewers have raised concerns regarding slow dining room service and inconsistencies in meal quality.
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Key Review Excerpts
“The Garden House at Merrill Gardens offers clean, spacious rooms with personalized care, but the kindness and care provided by the caregivers is something to be studied.”
“My mom has been a resident for 7 years. She started as an independent resident, then 'upgraded' to assisted living. This last month we moved her to memory care. I can't say enough great things about the staff and the MG organization.”
“Merrill Gardens at Auburn was clearly a notch above with a very competitive price point. From the moment we walked in, the setting, the staff, the residents, we knew we were home.”
Source: WA Dept. of Social & Health Services
The 2026-04-16 inspection was disapproved and identified the deficiencies listed above. A follow-up inspection on 2026-07-21 found that all violations from previous related inspections had been corrected, and the facility was approved. Provider number: 2506.
The facility did not provide the first semiannual servicing report, completed 2025-07-29, or the second semiannual service report.
The facility did not provide detailed documentation and maps of fire-rated construction locations, including annual inspection reports documenting testing dates, modifications, and repairs.
A sprinkler head in the first-floor memory-care closet was painted.
The hood's removable filters had gaps between them, allowing grease vapors to enter the fire-extinguishing system.
An emergency light in the fourth-floor A stairwell was not illuminating.
The facility could not provide documentation for all twelve planned and unannounced fire drills required during the prior 12 months; first shift, quarter 4, and second shift, quarter 3 drills were missing.
The facility did not provide detailed documentation and maps of fire door locations, including annual inspection reports documenting testing dates, modifications, and repairs.
Investigation of complaint #197134 regarding smoke detectors. A resident's case of 'zipfizz' on a stove burner caused smoke, activating the resident's smoke detector and alerting staff. No fire alarm or fire department activation occurred. No injuries were reported, and no IFC violations were observed.
Facility received a 30-day extension on 08/12/2025 to complete remaining corrective actions for fire doors and breaker panel labeling.
Unsecured oxygen and helium cylinders (noted 04/09/2025, corrected by 08/12/2025).
Multiple fire doors failed to latch during testing or were propped open (noted 04/09/2025, persistent issues with room 320, corridor door by 320, and rehab room door observed on 08/12/2025).
Egress paths blocked by equipment and furniture (noted 04/09/2025, corrected by 08/12/2025).
Oxygen concentrator plugged into an unapproved power strip in room 320 (noted 04/09/2025, corrected by 08/12/2025).
Fire extinguisher undercharged in memory care and missing tamper seals (noted 04/09/2025, corrected by 08/12/2025).
False ceiling to the right of the kitchen hood missing a panel (noted 04/09/2025, corrected by 08/12/2025).
Missing weekly generator logs (noted 04/09/2025, corrected by 08/12/2025).
Extension cords used as permanent wiring in multiple locations including memory care, room 413, room 320, business office, and general manager office (noted 04/09/2025, corrected by 08/12/2025).
Missing documentation for November 2024 tests; stairwell C and D lights failed testing (noted 04/09/2025, corrected by 08/12/2025).
Missing required fire drills for specific shifts in March 2025 and September 2024 (noted 04/09/2025, corrected by 08/12/2025).
Breaker panels not marked for fire alarm circuits; panel 31B remains unmarked (noted 04/09/2025, observed on 08/12/2025).
Unsealed penetrations in fire-resistance-rated construction in elevator room, main electrical room, and mechanical room (noted 04/09/2025, corrected by 08/12/2025).
Cigarette butts discarded on turf grass adjacent to trash cans near the facility generator (noted 04/09/2025, corrected by 08/12/2025).
Report covers two separate inspection periods: April 2025 (initial) and August 2025 (re-inspection). Most items were marked 'CORRECTED' on the August report, with specific door latching and labeling issues remaining.
Fire doors failed to latch at Resident room 320, corridor door by room 320, and rehabilitation room door (propped open).
Breaker Panel 31B lacks label for Fire Alarm circuit.
Letter confirms that follow-up inspection on 01/28/2025 found no deficiencies and all previously cited deficiencies were corrected.; Food safety deficiency regarding handwashing and cold food holding temperatures also noted in report.; One unnamed deficiency regarding the violation of a resident's dignity and right to privacy when staff applied topical medication in a common area.
Facility converted a trash room into a trash room/library without Construction Review Services approval; library shelves were not secured.
Medication room containing confidential medical records was left unlocked and unattended.
Facility failed to post a copy of the most recent full inspection report in a conspicuous place.
Staff member was working in the memory care unit without completing required specialized dementia training within 120 days of hire.
Memory Care courtyard contained containers filled with stagnant water, organic debris, and snails.
Facility failed to ensure staff were properly delegated by a Registered Nurse to perform medication administration and nebulizer treatments for 3 residents.
A 10-inch chef's knife was found in a resident-accessible dishwasher in the Activities Room.
Facility failed to quarterly re-evaluate and obtain a signed written consent for electronic monitoring for Resident 9.
First aid kits were not clearly marked or readily available, and disaster plans for essential supplies were insufficient.
Facility failed to provide 1 of 1 sampled resident (Resident 3) with dignity and respect.
Staff failed to correctly measure topical medication for Resident 3 and failed to remove expired medication for Resident 8.
Memory Care game closet had a broken threshold and lock, posing a risk of residents becoming locked inside.
Facility failed to provide information to visitors/residents on how to exit the secured courtyard without sounding the alarm.
Facility failed to update Resident 2's service plan to include specialized equipment needs (Roho cushion, mattress, fall mats) and maintenance instructions.
Facility failed to ensure a caregiver obtained first aid training within 30 days of hire.
Facility failed to investigate a report of unknown bruising for Resident 2, placing memory care unit residents at risk.
Medication room door was left propped open and unlocked, allowing unauthorized access to medications.
Memory Care laundry room and common bathroom were not vented to the exterior; laundry vent motor was in reverse polarity.
Facility failed to ensure 2 of 3 pets had required veterinarian exams, vaccinations, and certifications of being disease-free.
Civil fines totaling $900.00 were imposed ($300.00 for WAC 388-78A-2305 and $600.00 for WAC 388-78A-2320).
Licensee failed to ensure that two residents receive nurse delegation services. Uncorrected deficiency previously cited on November 1, 2024.
Licensee failed to ensure one staff member followed required hand sanitation guidelines. Uncorrected deficiency previously cited on November 1, 2024.
A subsequent inspection form dated 09/05/2024 indicates 'All violations noted during previous related inspection(s) have been corrected' and approval status is 'Approved'.
Facility failed to sound fire alarms during fire drills; staff incorrectly believed only annual activation was required.
Exit sign on memory care patio is full of water and non-functional.
Damper report shows 9 failed dampers.
No documentation for 90-minute annual emergency lighting testing.
Missing documentation for fire door inspections; unclear inspection status of fusible link doors; penetration in SW garage storage fire door.
Multiple doors failed to close/latch properly (Elec room 410, Stairwell 4NW27, Kitchen dry storage, Team lounge, SW garage storage).
Unapproved multi-plug adapters in use in resident rooms 413, 335, and 1st-floor rehabilitation office.
Unsealed wall penetrations found outside room 413, in electrical/storage room by 331, and ceiling penetration in dining room; electrical room conduits had paper in them.
Annual sprinkler report shows deficiencies; 3-year full flow test overdue; missed 4th quarter inspection.
Generator lacks external emergency stop switch and annunciation panel.
Power strip daisy-chained into another power strip in resident room 307.
Dining room exit door blocked by table and chairs.
Memory care exit door is lined with decorative plastic.
Facility lacked records of annual fire wall inspections/repairs and lacked a fire wall map.
The inspection on 04/24/2023 confirmed that all violations from the 03/06/2023 inspection were corrected.
Extension cords in use in the Maintenance office, Resident room 413, and the Business office.
Unapproved multi-plug adapters in use in Resident rooms 413 and 419.
Fire doors at five specific locations failed to close/latch properly when tested.
Large penetration in Housekeeping closet ceiling (4th floor); conduits in Mechanical room (3rd floor) partially open due to failed fire caulking.
Unsecured oxygen bottle found in Resident room 413 closet.
Facility unable to provide record of annual fire wall inspection and/or repairs.
Exit door in the dining room (right set) will not open without being forced.
Missing escutcheon ring in the 1st floor hallway by the Staff room.
Facility unable to provide documentation for last fire/smoke damper testing.
No Carbon Monoxide alarms in the 1st floor Laundry room or in front lobby fireplace area.
Facility unable to provide documentation showing monthly testing logs for CO detectors.
Missing or broken receptacle covers in the Staff office (1st floor) and Kitchen office.
Facility unable to provide service reports for the kitchen suppression system for the past 12 months.
Facility unable to provide documentation for completion of twelve planned/unannounced fire drills in the previous 12 months.
Facility failed to provide documentation for 30-second monthly testing of emergency lighting.
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