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Assisted Living

Merrill Gardens at Burien

Families consistently rate this highly — reviewers highlight friendly and attentive staff. Schedule a visit to confirm the fit.

15020 5th Ave Sw, Downtown · Burien, WA 9816660 bedsLicensed & Active
Source: WA DSHS — view official record
Google rating
4.7/5

based on 30 Google reviews

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Merrill Gardens at Burien Assisted Living in Burien, WA — Street View
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What this means for your family

Merrill Gardens at Burien is highly regarded for its active social calendar and friendly staff, making it a great choice for seniors who value community engagement. When touring, we recommend asking specifically about the training programs for caregivers to ensure they meet your loved one's specific health needs.

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

30 reviews on Google
Merrill Gardens at Burien is generally viewed as a welcoming and well-managed community, with families frequently praising the friendly staff and vibrant activity calendar. While most reviews are highly positive, some past concerns have been raised regarding the adequacy of caregiver training and the high cost of residency.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details
Food8.0Staff8.0Clean9.0Activities9.0MedsN/AMemoryN/AComms6.0Value3.0

Strengths

  • Friendly and attentive staff
  • Engaging community activities and events
  • Clean and well-maintained facility
  • Convenient location near downtown Burien

Concerns

  • Inadequate caregiver training (mentioned by 2 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

234'16(2)'18(3)'21(2)'23(1)'25(9)'26(10)

Distribution · 32 analyzed

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How They Respond to Reviews

80%response rate

This facility actively engages with reviewer feedback.

Questions for Your Tour

  • 1I noticed how much the management team values feedback from the community; how does the staff use resident and family input to improve daily care?
  • 2With such a great reputation for community events, what are some of the favorite activities or outings the residents enjoy together?
  • 3Since the facility is so close to downtown Burien, are there opportunities for residents to get out and explore the local area?
  • 4Could you tell me more about the ongoing training programs you have in place for your caregivers to ensure they are fully prepared for all resident needs?
  • 5In the event of a medical emergency after hours, what specific protocols are in place to ensure my family member receives immediate care?
  • 6The facility looks very well-maintained; how often are the common areas and private apartments deep-cleaned?

Personalized based on this facility's data


Key Review Excerpts

The staff know residents names and engage with them daily. The residents are open to making new friends and bringing others into activities. It is clean and well managed.

Long-term resident's family · 2024★★★★★

Merrill Gardens Burien is a warm and welcoming community, and I'm so happy that my mom has settled in here. The staff is kind and skilled, her apartment is beautiful, and I know that she is being well taken care of.

Resident's family member · 2025★★★★★

As a hospice provider for Merrill Gardens in Burien, I can’t say enough good about this community! Their Resident Care Manager James Nyoro is fantastic along with the rest of the staff.

Hospice provider · 2024★★★★★
Source: 30 Google reviews

State Inspection History

State Inspections

Source: WA Dept. of Social & Health Services

6total
28deficiencies
Apr 6, 2026Fire

The inspection conducted on 03/25/2026 resulted in a 'Disapproved' status, but a subsequent inspection on 04/06/2026 confirmed that all violations were corrected and the facility is now in 'Approved' status.

Modified or damaged electrical equipmentIFC 603.2.1 2021Corrected Apr 6, 2026

Portable hot box in the kitchen has exposed wires near the plug.

Compressed gas securityIFC 5303.5 2021Corrected Apr 6, 2026

6 loose cylinders located in the kitchen.

Carbon Monoxide DetectionIFC 0915.1 2021 WAC 51-54ACorrected Apr 6, 2026

Boiler room in parking garage has natural gas with no detection.

Sep 25, 2025Inspection

There is a separate document in the provided set (first image) dated 11/14/2025 indicating that the deficiencies listed for Compliance Determination 65244 were verified as corrected.

InvestigationsWAC 388-78A-2371

Incident investigation reports for Resident 2 (who had multiple elopement attempts) showed no documentation of the circumstances of the events.

Timing of preadmission assessmentWAC 388-78A-2070Corrected Nov 9, 2025

Facility failed to complete documented pre-admission assessments for 3 of 7 residents prior to their move-in date.

Tuberculosis Two step skin testingWAC 388-78A-2484Corrected Nov 9, 2025

Facility failed to ensure 1 of 4 staff members was screened for Tuberculosis within three days of employment as required.

Service agreement planningWAC 388-78A-2130Corrected Nov 9, 2025

Facility failed to document combination assessment/service plans for 2 of 7 residents that adequately addressed current clinical needs, specifically failing to provide guidance for monitoring symptoms related to medications or behaviorally based supportive actions.

Mar 6, 2025Fire

An inspection on 02/26/2025 resulted in a 'Disapproved' status. A subsequent inspection on 03/06/2025 indicates all violations from previous related inspections have been corrected and the facility is 'Approved'.

Owner's ResponsibilityIFC 701.6 2021

Facility failed to provide documentation showing annual inspection of fire-resistance-rated construction.

Testing and MaintenanceIFC 903.5 2021

Facility failed to provide documentation for the automatic sprinkler system; specifically for the three-year dry system full flow trip test and the five-year fire department connection hydrostatic test.

Jul 9, 2024Inspection

Follow-up inspection conducted on 07/09/2024 found no deficiencies.; Plan/Attestation Statements were signed by the administrator with correction dates listed as 2024-04-23 or 2024-04-28.; The document explicitly states these are 'consultation deficiencies' not listed on the enclosed report. The facility is required to submit a plan of correction.

Tuberculosis screening/testingWAC 388-78A-2484-2
Tuberculosis Two step skin testingWAC 388-78A-2484

Facility failed to ensure two-step TB testing for 4 of 8 sampled staff members.

Resident rights Notice Policy on accepting medicaid as a payment sourceWAC 388-78A-2665Corrected Mar 8, 2024

2 of 7 sampled residents did not have a signed and dated facility's Medicaid policy in their record.

Tuberculosis screening/testingWAC 388-78A-2484
Tuberculosis One testWAC 388-78A-2483

Facility failed to complete required one-step TB tests for 2 of 2 sampled staff with negative history.

Tuberculosis screening/testingWAC 388-78A-2483-1
Intermittent nursing services systemsWAC 388-78A-2320

Facility failed to ensure 6 of 6 sampled staff completed required Nurse Delegation training and failed to obtain resident consent for delegation for 5 of 6 sampled residents.

Tuberculosis screening/testingWAC 388-78A-2484-1
Background checksWAC 388-78A-2466

Facility failed to maintain valid background checks every two years for 8 of 8 sampled staff members.

Food sanitationWAC 388-78A-2305Corrected Mar 5, 2024

1 of 11 sampled kitchen staff did not have a valid food handler's card.

May 16, 2024Enforcement
$400.00Report

Letter dated May 21, 2024, regarding imposition of civil fines totaling $400.00 for two uncorrected deficiencies previously cited on March 14, 2024.

Tuberculosis—Two step skin testingWAC 388-78A-2484(1)(2)

The licensee failed to test one staff for tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis—One testWAC 388-78A-2483(1)

The licensee failed to complete a tuberculosis test for one staff with a history of a negative QuantiFERON test.

Apr 30, 2024Fire

Inspection conducted on 03/12/2024 resulted in 'Disapproved' status. A follow-up inspection on 04/30/2024 confirmed all violations have been corrected.

InstallationIFC 604.4.3 2018

Kitchen has a power strip dangling by the storage room.

Inspection, Testing and MaintenanceIFC 901.6 2018

Loaded sprinklers in Kitchen (by back storage) and Dining room (by vent); missing escutcheon ring outside of Activities.

Opening protectivesIFC 703.2

Spa Service fire door has a penetration from switching door handles.

Hangers and BracketsIFC 906.7 2015, 2018

Fire extinguisher in the outside storage paint room was not properly mounted.

Inspection and MaintenanceIFC 705.2 2018

Facility unable to provide documentation for inspection of fire doors.

Emergency Power for Illumination - GeneralIFC 1008.3.1 2015, 2018

Emergency lights failed in Stairway exit A, Stairway C, and hallway by room 332.

Door OperationIFC 705.2.4 2018

Outside Storage room, Laundry door, and Cross corridor 2C by 228 did not close/latch properly.

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References & Resources

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