Alex FOR THE SKEPTICS22
Jun 2026
in this industry ive learned things fall through the cracks, but the team here at Lake Merritt Healthcare Center really comes together to create a family atmosphere and make every resident feel welcome.
1 / 2Quick Facts
- Total units
- 53
- Medicare rating
- 2 of 5
- Ownership
- For profit, Limited Liability company
- Certified beds
- 53
- Inspections
- View history (72 citations)
- Capacity
- Licensed for up to 53 residents
CMS Care Compare
What Families Think
Reviews of Lake Merritt Healthcare Center are sharply divided, with some praising a friendly staff and family atmosphere while others describe serious lapses in basic care and safety. Multiple reports raise concerns about neglect, falls, and a resident wandering off the premises unsupervised.
The Good
- Some reviewers call staff friendly and welcoming
- Nurses responsive to call lights, per one reviewer
- Family-like atmosphere noted by a reviewer
The Bad
- One report of a resident going unbathed and falling repeatedly
- One account of a resident being attacked by another patient twice
- One report of a resident wandering off-site unsupervised, unnoticed by staff
- Reviewer described administrators as disorganized
AI-generated from reviews and community data.
Lake Merritt Healthcare Center is a senior living community in Oakland, California offering Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care. Amenities include Social Activities, Housekeeping and Emergency Call System. Families rate it 3.0 out of 5 across 14 reviews.
About Lake Merritt Healthcare Center
Lake Merritt Healthcare Center is a 53-bed skilled nursing and long-term care facility in Oakland, California.
Family experiences at the facility are sharply divided. Some families report that staff members respond promptly to call lights and create a welcoming atmosphere, with one family noting the team "comes together to create a family atmosphere." However, other families have raised serious concerns about oversight and care consistency, including delayed bathing, multiple unreported falls, and inadequate response to resident-on-resident incidents. Administrative organization has also been questioned, and at least one family needed to contact an ombudsman to secure basic care.
The facility holds a 3 out of 5 Google rating based on 14 reviews, reflecting the polarized feedback from families.
Types of Care at Lake Merritt Healthcare Center
Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care
Amenities
Room Amenities
- Emergency Call System
- Private Bathroom
- Wheelchair Accessible
Community Amenities
- 24-Hour Staff
- Housekeeping
- Medication Management
- On-Site Nurse (RN)
Activities
- Social Activities (Happy Hour, Wine Tasting, Dances, Karaoke)
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Help Me ChooseReviews of Lake Merritt Healthcare Center
3overall · 14 ratings combined
3★ on Google (14)
Morgan
Aug 2024
My mom was there for about a month. The care staff is good, but the administrators seemed disorganized the few times I spoke to them. She was never bathed, she fell multiple times, they stack three patients into a tiny room, she was attacked twice by the same patient with no resolution.
Rebecca Miller
Nov 2023
As if it couldn't get any worse, my niece encountered a patient of this facility on the street at 5:20pm wondering around the Fox Theatre. She had a bracelet on her arm that was not hers because when asked what her name was she said it was not the person on the bracelet she was wearing. My niece called the facility on the bracelet that was not hers and the employee who answered the phone had no clue what was going on. This person had several bracelets on her arm and when my niece, after a little more investigating, found out her real name, the person on the phone screamed on the phone which told me she did not know the patient was missing. When they came to get the patient after giving the location of where she was, the worker asked my niece, "Did you call the police?" Which leads me to believe this has happened before. SHUT THIS PLACE DOWN AND TAKE YOUR LOVED ONES OUT OF THERE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT!!!
Rizza Sero
Jul 2022
It’s a nice place and not bad with answering call lights the nurses and staff helps with call lights, also, the vibe in this place very nice managers and staff very friendly. Come check this place out :)
Brandii H.
Apr 2018
Aka lake Merritt healthcare center, incompetent staff. Had to call ombudsman to get basic care done for my grandmother.. still not doing things they should.. steer clear of this place if you can...
Government Inspection History
10 inspection visits in the last three years, 72 citations on file. Inspections are conducted by state agencies on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Apr 15, 2026Health Complaint1 citation
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected May 18, 2026
Mar 16, 2026Health Complaint1 citation
Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Apr 20, 2026
Mar 6, 2026Health Complaint1 citation
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Apr 17, 2026
Mar 5, 2026Health Complaint2 citations
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Mar 30, 2026
Ensure the transfer/discharge meets the resident's needs/preferences and that the resident is prepared for a safe transfer/discharge.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Mar 30, 2026
Jan 6, 2026Health Complaint1 citation
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Feb 1, 2026
Sep 17, 2025Fire Safety Complaint2 citations
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Dec 2, 2025
Have a combustible roofing system that meets safety standards.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Sep 29, 2025
Jan 28, 2025Health Complaint1 citation
Provide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with mental disorder or psychosocial adjustment difficulty, or who has a history of trauma and/or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Feb 17, 2025
Oct 25, 2024Fire Safety StandardHealth Standard24 citations
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Nov 25, 2024
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Dec 2, 2024
Ensure that personnel concerned with handling of medical gases and cylinders are trained on the risk.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Nov 25, 2024
Establish staff and initial training requirements.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Nov 25, 2024
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Nov 25, 2024
Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Nov 25, 2024
Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Nov 25, 2024
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Nov 25, 2024
Use approved construction type or materials.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Nov 25, 2024
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Nov 25, 2024
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Nov 25, 2024
Honor the resident's right to organize and participate in resident/family groups in the facility.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Nov 25, 2024
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.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Nov 25, 2024
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Nov 25, 2024
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.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Nov 25, 2024
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Nov 25, 2024
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.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Nov 25, 2024
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Nov 25, 2024
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Nov 25, 2024
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Nov 25, 2024
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Nov 25, 2024
Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Nov 25, 2024
Ensure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Nov 25, 2024
Provide rooms that are at least 80 square feet per resident in multiple rooms and 100 square feet for single resident rooms.
Severity B of L: potential for minimal harm, patternCorrected Nov 25, 2024
Nov 16, 2023Fire Safety StandardHealth Standard25 citations
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Dec 18, 2023
Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Dec 18, 2023
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Dec 18, 2023
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jan 14, 2024
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jan 14, 2024
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Dec 18, 2023
Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 18, 2023
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.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 14, 2024
Ensure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 14, 2024
Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 14, 2024
Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 14, 2024
Post nurse staffing information every day.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 14, 2024
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 14, 2024
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 14, 2024
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 14, 2024
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 14, 2024
Keep all essential equipment working safely.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 14, 2024
Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 14, 2024
Use approved construction type or materials.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 18, 2023
Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 18, 2023
Have a complete alarm system manually initiated and initiated by fire sprinkler system connection.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 18, 2023
Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 18, 2023
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 18, 2023
Meet requirements for the use of electrical equipment.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 18, 2023
Provide rooms that are at least 80 square feet per resident in multiple rooms and 100 square feet for single resident rooms.
Severity C of L: potential for minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Jan 14, 2024
Jul 16, 2021Fire Safety StandardHealth Standard14 citations
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Aug 24, 2021
Properly provide smoke detection systems in areas open to corridors.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Aug 9, 2021
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Aug 9, 2021
Provide rooms that are at least 80 square feet per resident in multiple rooms and 100 square feet for single resident rooms.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Aug 24, 2021
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Aug 24, 2021
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Aug 9, 2021
Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Aug 9, 2021
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Aug 24, 2021
Keep all essential equipment working safely.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Aug 24, 2021
Implement emergency and standby power systems.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Aug 9, 2021
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Aug 9, 2021
Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Aug 9, 2021
Establish roles under a Waiver declared by secretary.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Aug 9, 2021
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.
Severity B of L: potential for minimal harm, patternCorrected Aug 24, 2021
Source: CMS Care Compare, public federal data covering certified nursing facilities, refreshed monthly. Citations range from A (least serious) to L (most serious) on the federal scope and severity scale. Most citations are corrected quickly; review the details and ask the community about anything that concerns you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of care does Lake Merritt Healthcare Center offer?
Lake Merritt Healthcare Center offers Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care.
Where is Lake Merritt Healthcare Center located?
Lake Merritt Healthcare Center is located at 309 Macarthur Boulevard in Oakland, California.
What do families say about Lake Merritt Healthcare Center?
Reviews of Lake Merritt Healthcare Center are sharply divided, with some praising a friendly staff and family atmosphere while others describe serious lapses in basic care and safety. Multiple reports raise concerns about neglect, falls, and a resident wandering off the premises unsupervised.
How did Lake Merritt Healthcare Center do on recent health and safety inspections?
Lake Merritt Healthcare Center had 10 government inspection visits in the last three years, with 72 citations on file according to CMS Care Compare data. The full history, including what each citation was for and whether it was corrected, is in the inspection section on this page.
How can families visit Lake Merritt Healthcare Center?
Submit the Request Information form on this page to connect with Lake Merritt Healthcare Center and arrange a tour. Sharing your timeline and care needs up front helps the community prepare for your visit.
Work at Lake Merritt Healthcare Center? Claim this listing to update photos, pricing, and details. It's free.
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