Merry Wood Lodge
On Medicare Special Focus status, a serious quality warning. Visit in person and ask tough questions before deciding.
based on 101 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.
- 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
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 detailsStrengths
- 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
Distribution · 102 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
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!!!”
“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.”
“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.”
Staffing
Staffing Hours
per resident/day · Medicare 2026Total 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
12
measures
2
measures
3
measures
Residents whose walking got worse
Residents on antipsychotic medication
Residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics
US average from Medicare published data
Inspection History
Medicare Inspection History
3-year lookback · Medicare 2026
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, 2024Complaint1
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, 2024Complaint8
Administration Deficiencies
Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
Administration Deficiencies
Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
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.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.
Administration Deficiencies
Electronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data.
Sep 1, 2024Routine6
Smoke Deficiencies
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Services Deficiencies
Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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
Properly install and monitor supervisory attachments on automatic sprinkler systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure that waiting areas, nurse’s stations, gift shops, and cooking facilities, open to the corridor are properly protected.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have a battery powered remote alarm panel in a location accessible by operating personnel.
Mar 3, 2020Routine8
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 Rights Deficiencies
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
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
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.
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.
Egress Deficiencies
Provide rooms that can be unlocked from inside without a key.
Smoke Deficiencies
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Post nurse staffing information every day.
Dec 13, 2018Routine4
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.
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.
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
Merry Wood Lodge
for profit
Chain Affiliation
Genesis Healthcare
187 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 2.4/5 · Rank 111 of 188
Ownership & Management
Owners
Genesis Holdings LLC
Owner · Organization
Genesis Healthcare LLC
Owner (parent company) · Organization
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
101 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit genesishcc.com
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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