monica moses
May 2026
My family chose Merriam Gardens Rehabilitation & Nursing Home because it was close to my aunt’s home, close to her sister, and convenient for family visits. We were told she would be able to continue attending her doctors’ appointments while receiving rehabilitation. My concerns began on my first visit when I noticed a strong odor of urine in the facility. It immediately made me question the level of care and cleanliness. We were also surprised to learn that the facility would not transport my aunt to her medical appointments as we had expected. When we asked if family could transport her, we were told no due to liability concerns. This left us feeling frustrated and worried about her ongoing medical care. Instead of improving through rehabilitation, my aunt seemed to decline. We were repeatedly told she tired easily and could only walk for short periods. From our perspective, she spent too much time in bed and was not receiving the level of rehabilitation we expected. Her granddaughter became concerned about a persistent cough and brought it to the staff’s attention. Later, when I asked about the possibility of pneumonia, I was told she did not have it. Not long afterward, we were informed that she would be discharged because she was declining. Within days of returning home, we rushed her to the hospital. She was diagnosed with pneumonia and sepsis. In our opinion, she should have been sent to the hospital for further evaluation instead of being discharged home. The most heartbreaking part is that my aunt entered the facility able to walk and left in a wheelchair. Sadly, she passed away about a week after leaving. Based on our family’s experience, I cannot recommend Merriam Gardens Rehabilitation & Nursing Home. We were disappointed with the communication, rehabilitation progress, and discharge decisions, and we continue to have serious concerns about the care my aunt received.
