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Nursing HomeMedicaid Investigative

Merry Wood Lodge

On Medicare Special Focus status, a serious quality warning. Visit in person and ask tough questions before deciding.

280 Mt Hebron Road, Elmore, AL 36025124 bedsLicensed & Active
1/5
Medicare
Inspection
Quality
Staffing
Google rating
4.4/5

based on 101 Google reviews

5
4
3
2
1

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10/ 10
critical Risk

Quality Concerns Identified

Medicare inspection and quality data reveal areas that families should carefully evaluate before choosing this facility.

  • Special Focus Facility (under heightened CMS scrutiny)
  • Abuse citation on record
  • Low overall rating (2/5 stars)
  • Above-median deficiencies (8 vs median 3.0)
  • High staff turnover (51%)
  • High RN turnover (58%)

Below average in AL · Meets national RN staffing standard · $182,968 in fines · Special Focus Facility (CMS) · Abuse citation

Source: Medicare data

What this means for your family

While many families report excellent experiences with the rehabilitation and general nursing staff, there are recurring, serious allegations regarding the dementia unit that cannot be ignored. We strongly advise you to conduct an unannounced visit to the memory care wing and ask specific questions about their medication management policies and how they handle resident behavioral concerns.

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

101 reviews on Google
Merry Wood Lodge receives a high volume of positive reviews from families praising the friendly, attentive staff and the clean, welcoming environment. However, there are serious, recurring allegations regarding the treatment of residents in the dementia unit, including claims of neglect, physical abuse, and inappropriate medication practices. Families considering this facility should weigh the high praise for rehabilitation and general care against these critical safety and communication concerns.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details
FoodN/AStaff8.0Clean9.0Activities7.0Meds2.0Memory4.0Comms4.0ValueN/A

Strengths

  • Warm, attentive nursing and support staff
  • Clean and well-maintained facility
  • Effective rehabilitation therapy programs
  • Strong communication during transition periods

Concerns

  • Allegations of neglect and abuse in the dementia/memory care unit (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
  • Poor communication and difficulty reaching staff by phone (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
  • Inappropriate use of medication to control residents (mentioned by 2 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

234'16(1)'18(1)'20(8)'22(7)'24(21)'26(4)

Distribution · 102 analyzed

5
74
4
16
3
0
2
2
1
10

How They Respond to Reviews

60%response rate

This facility responds to some reviews.

Questions for Your Tour

  • 1I noticed you have a very active online presence and respond to many family reviews; how do you use that feedback to improve the daily experience for residents?
  • 2Given that the facility has a 124-resident capacity, what specific protocols are in place to ensure consistent, one-on-one attention for residents in the memory care unit?
  • 3Could you walk me through your current medication management process and how you ensure that residents are receiving the appropriate care without unnecessary sedation?
  • 4I see that communication is a top priority for families; what is the most reliable way for me to reach the nursing staff directly if I have an urgent question or concern?
  • 5With the recent focus on staffing levels, how do you ensure that your team remains attentive and responsive during the night shift when medical needs might arise?
  • 6What specific enrichment activities are currently being offered to keep residents engaged and active throughout the day?

Personalized based on this facility's data


Key Review Excerpts

I received excellent nursing care and outstanding physical and occupational therapy!! As a Vietnam Veteran, I recommend this facility for any rehabilitation services needed!!!

Rehab patient · 2024★★★★★

My brother-in-law.He was doing well.The room was clean, He was in physical therapy finishing up and they brought him back to the room as soon as he was done ✔️ every one was helpful and nice.

Family member · 2025★★★★★

My father in law was in the dementia unit. They have a caring, experienced staff. They had activities for the residents every day. He was always clean and neat, as were all the other residents I saw on that unit.

Memory care family member · 2023★★★★★
Source: 101 Google reviews

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026
RN Hours
0.85hrs
OK
Registered nurses for medical care
Total Nursing
3.20hrs
78%
All nurses + aides combined
Staff Turnover
54%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)
RN Turnover
67%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)

Total nursing hours are below minimum, though RN coverage is adequate. This may mean fewer aides for daily tasks like bathing and mobility.

Quality Measures

Quality Measures

Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures

Medicare Rating
4/ 5
Better Than Avg

12

measures

Worse Than Avg

2

measures

Mixed Results

3

measures

Long-Stay Residents
🚶

Residents whose walking got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility20.8%
Worse than Avg
Here
20.8%
US
15.3%
AL
13.3%
Elmore
9.3%
💊

Residents on antipsychotic medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility13.1%
Better than Avg
Here
13.1%
US
15.4%
AL
21.4%
Elmore
18.0%
💉

Residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility100.0%
Better than Avg
Here
100.0%
US
93.4%
AL
91.7%
Elmore
99.0%
😔

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better
This Facility5.4%
Mixed vs Avgs
Here
5.4%
US
12.1%
AL
1.4%
Elmore
3.9%

Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.

💊

Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility18.4%
Better than Avg
Here
18.4%
US
19.5%
AL
24.7%
Elmore
23.6%
🚿

Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility13.7%
Mixed vs Avgs
Here
13.7%
US
19.4%
AL
13.3%
Elmore
10.9%
Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility96.7%
Better than Avg
Here
96.7%
US
81.8%
AL
84.8%
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better
This Facility87.8%
Better than Avg
Here
87.8%
US
79.7%
AL
80.3%
💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better
This Facility6.4%
Worse than Avg
Here
6.4%
US
1.6%
AL
2.0%
Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

8deficiencies
2penalties
Well above state avg (3.9)
9 complaint-triggered
$182,968 in fines

Families have filed multiple complaints against this facility, resulting in serious findings about resident protection from abuse and neglect that recurred as recently as October 2024. Primary problem areas include protecting residents from harm, fire safety systems, and food safety/nutrition services. While the facility has correction plans in place, the repeat abuse protection violations and pattern of complaint-driven investigations raise significant safety concerns that warrant careful consideration.

Oct 17, 2024Complaint
1
0600Actual harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

Sep 1, 2024Complaint
8
0835Immediate jeopardy · WidespreadCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.

0867Immediate jeopardy · WidespreadCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.

0600Immediate jeopardy · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0607Immediate jeopardy · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.

0610Immediate jeopardy · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.

0812Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

0814Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.

0851Minimal · WidespreadCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Electronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data.

Sep 1, 2024Routine
6
0345Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.

0521Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Services Deficiencies

Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

0321Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.

0352Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Properly install and monitor supervisory attachments on automatic sprinkler systems.

0361Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Ensure that waiting areas, nurse’s stations, gift shops, and cooking facilities, open to the corridor are properly protected.

0916Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Have a battery powered remote alarm panel in a location accessible by operating personnel.

Mar 3, 2020Routine
8
0812Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

0580Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.

0756Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0758Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0842Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

0221Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Egress Deficiencies

Provide rooms that can be unlocked from inside without a key.

0324Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Provide properly protected cooking facilities.

0732Minimal · WidespreadCorrected

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies

Post nurse staffing information every day.

Dec 13, 2018Routine
4
0689Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

0353Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

0656Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0341Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility.

Federal Penalties

Fine

Sep 1, 2024

$182,968

Payment Denial

Sep 1, 2024

42-day denial

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

Merry Wood Lodge

Organization Type

for profit

Chain Affiliation

Chain Name

Genesis Healthcare

Chain Size

187 facilities nationwide

Chain avg rating: 2.4/5 · Rank 111 of 188

Ownership & Management

Owners

Genesis Holdings LLC

Owner · Organization

100%

Genesis Healthcare LLC

Owner (parent company) · Organization

100%

Key personnel

Bolen, JoelContracted Managing EmployeeHuffman, LarryW-2 Managing EmployeeBerg, MichaelOfficer / DirectorBridgeford, LauraOfficer / DirectorMendelson, AviOfficer / Director
Source: Medicare provider data

Contact

Get in Touch

Contact this facility directly and verify the details that matter most to your family.

References & Resources

EveryPlace is a research directory. Facility information is compiled from public sources — Medicare.gov, state licensing portals, Google Places, and publicly available street-level imagery. Listings do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or advertisement, and we do not accept payment for placement. Families should verify all details directly with the facility and the original sources linked above before making any care decisions. See our Research Policy for our editorial standards, correction process, and image-removal policy.

Safer Alternatives Nearby

Based on current clinical data, we identified 4 nearby facilities within 10 miles that may offer a stronger care environment. We encourage families to compare options carefully.

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