Pricing ranges from
    $5,809 – 6,970/month

    Merrill Gardens at Brentwood

    2600 Balfour Rd, Brentwood, CA, 94513
    4.5 · 28 reviews
    • Independent living
    • Assisted living
    • Memory care
    AnonymousCurrent/former resident
    4.0

    Beautiful facility, caring staff, hiccups

    I toured and moved in to Merrill Gardens and overall I'm very pleased - the building is beautiful and immaculate, feels like a five-star hotel, and the spacious apartments have full-size kitchens and in-unit washer/dryers (utilities included). Dining is excellent with 24-hour options and great chefs/servers, and there's a robust calendar of activities, transportation for shopping/appointments, secure doors, and strong memory-care support. The staff have been the highlight - warm, professional, responsive, and genuinely helpful (special shout-outs to Crystal and Jennifer). Downsides: it's expensive, I've run into administrative hiccups (refund/fee delays, some non-communication), occasional understaffing/turnover, and a few early move-in glitches. Despite that, the caring staff, amenities, and active community make me optimistic and happy with my choice.

    Pricing

    $5,809+/moSemi-privateAssisted Living
    $6,970+/mo1 BedroomAssisted Living

    Schedule a Tour

    Amenities

    Healthcare services

    • Activities of daily living assistance
    • Assistance with bathing
    • Assistance with dressing
    • Assistance with transfers
    • Coordination with health care providers
    • Hospice waiver
    • Medication management
    • Mental wellness program

    Healthcare staffing

    • 24-hour call system
    • 24-hour supervision

    Meals and dining

    • Diabetes diet
    • Meal preparation and service
    • Special dietary restrictions

    Room

    • Cable
    • Fully furnished
    • Housekeeping and linen services
    • Kitchenettes
    • Telephone
    • Wifi

    Memory care community services

    • Dementia waiver
    • Mild cognitive impairment
    • Specialized memory care programming

    Transportation

    • Transportation arrangement (medical)
    • Transportation to doctors appointments

    Common areas

    • Beauty salon
    • Dining room
    • Garden
    • Outdoor space

    Community services

    • Move-in coordination
    • Swimming pool

    Activities

    • Community-sponsored activities
    • Resident-run activities
    • Scheduled daily activities

    4.46 · 28 reviews

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      4.4
    • Staff

      4.8
    • Meals

      4.5
    • Amenities

      4.6
    • Value

      2.0

    Location

    Map showing location of Merrill Gardens at Brentwood

    About Merrill Gardens at Brentwood

    Merrill Gardens at Brentwood sits at 2600 Balfour Rd in Brentwood, CA, and serves adults aged 55 and over who want a community that handles different needs as people age, so somebody might start off living independently in one of their studio, one, or two bedroom apartments, then if they need some help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or taking medicine, they can get assisted living with personal support, and if memory issues like Alzheimer's or dementia come up, the community also has memory care with more specialized attention. The property is pet-friendly and lets residents keep their pets, which a lot of people like. There's a range of things to do, people can join exercise in the fitness area, follow a calendar full of activities for staying active and social, and there are shared meals created to be tasty and nutritious, served whenever works for each resident, since the dining is set up to be flexible. Folks live in apartments that include comforts like air conditioning and maybe even a patio, though the building has several types of homes, from studios to places with up to four bedrooms, and some homes have features like washers and dryers. Residents have access to a pool, hot tub or spa, barbecue areas, fitness center, and gated entries. The property belongs to Merrill Gardens and offers different care levels including independent living, assisted living, and memory care, while also managing things like housekeeping every week, on-site maintenance, and various transportation options if someone needs rides around town. There's always staff onsite, twenty-four hours a day, supported by a call system in each apartment, making people feel safer in case they need help quickly. Laws protect residents here from discrimination and respect all identities and backgrounds, including LGBTQ individuals, thanks to state and federal rules. Merrill Gardens at Brentwood also gives virtual tours for people who want to look around online first, and they've got some awards recognizing their activities and quality, plus a reputation for friendly, helpful staff, so people get support when they need it and time to themselves when they want it. While details about monthly fees or utilities aren't listed, the community takes pride in tailoring care plans to each person's needs, aiming to let people stay as independent and comfortable as they can, for as long as possible.

    People often ask...

    State of California Inspection Reports

    38

    Inspections

    6

    Type A Citations

    8

    Type B Citations

    3

    Years of reports

    25 Feb 2025
    Completed COMP II by telephone with identity verified, confirming understanding of licensing requirements and related topics; advised to email or fax a signed LIC 809 with a copy of photo ID.
    • § 9058
    16 Apr 2025
    Found no deficiencies identified; safety systems, living areas, and records were in order, and required documents were requested to be submitted by 04/23/2025.
    • § 9058
    10 Apr 2025
    Reviewed Component III with the administrator; licensure not yet granted and awaiting final review by the Centralized Applications Unit.
    • § 9058
    10 Apr 2025
    Found readiness for licensure after an unannounced pre-licensing visit; all safety measures, supplies, and emergency equipment were in place.
    • § 9058
    23 Dec 2024
    Found that staff did not provide adequate care and supervision to residents, with shifts understaffed and essential needs like showers and housekeeping often unmet, and some residents requiring two-person assist or more.
    • § 1569.269(a)(6)
    23 Jan 2025
    Found that a staff member left over-the-counter medication unsecured in a resident's room, allowing access by others, which supports the allegation that medications were not kept inaccessible.
    • § 87465(h)(2)
    23 Dec 2024
    Identified that the allegation of short staffing at this location was amended to unsubstantiated.
    17 Dec 2024
    Investigated the allegation of short staffing and found no clear evidence to support it after interviewing staff and reviewing records. Investigated the allegations that staff did not treat residents with dignity and that the site was unsecured; interviews indicated residents were treated with dignity and respect, and there was no clear evidence to support the unsecured claim.
    13 Aug 2024
    Investigated allegations related to infection control, reporting requirements, facility conditions, temperature control, and staff health. Found that infection control guidelines were followed with residents isolated and PPE provided; reporting was submitted timely; HVAC problems affected comfort but not safety; and a staff health event occurred with temporary staffing adjustments.
    13 Aug 2024
    Investigated allegations of improper infection control, reporting procedures, facility disrepair, inadequate temperature maintenance, and staff health practices; all found unsupported by evidence.
    09 May 2024
    Verified no deficiencies were observed. Reviewed ten staff and ten resident records and found them current and complete, with safety systems functioning and living areas maintained.
    09 May 2024
    Confirmed compliance with safety regulations and documentation requirements during inspection visit.
    03 May 2024
    Identified an allegation that a resident returned with a new diagnosis not previously reported; staff obtained the discharge summary, requested an updated physician’s report to confirm the diagnosis, and held a conference with the family about continued care.
    03 May 2024
    LPAs conducted a visit in response to an incident report regarding a new diagnosis for Resident 1, which was addressed by facility staff through obtaining necessary documents and discussing continuing care with family.
    07 Mar 2024
    Investigated two allegations: lack of a backup generator and that staff failed to prevent residents from falling in the shower. Found no evidence to support either allegation.
    07 Mar 2024
    Found that the facility did not have a backup generator and that some residents had concerns about falling in the shower, but both allegations were determined to be unsubstantiated.
    12 Oct 2023
    Investigated five specific allegations: illegal eviction; food quality; not allowing large groups to dine together; staff had inappropriate interaction with a resident; and retaliation. The illegal eviction allegation did not have sufficient evidence to support it, and the other four allegations did not meet the preponderance of evidence.
    • § 1569.683(a)
    12 Oct 2023
    Found insufficient evidence to determine whether staff failed to safeguard a resident's personal belongings and whether staff sexually harassed a resident.
    12 Oct 2023
    Interviews and document collection revealed allegations of improper handling of personal belongings and harassment, but there was insufficient evidence to confirm these claims.
    08 May 2023
    Found that the allegation that a resident had a seizure due to an incorrect medication dosage was not supported by evidence. The seizure occurred on 5/27/2022, and the medical history shows seizures have been part of the resident’s condition for years.
    08 May 2023
    Found that staff did not check a resident in a timely manner; records showed no check on 8/21/2022, and on 8/22/2022 staff only called and left a voicemail without a physical check.
    08 May 2023
    Found failure to check on resident as required, leading to resident being left unattended for an extended period of time.
    • § 87468.2(a)(8)
    04 Apr 2023
    Found insufficient evidence to prove all three allegations—staff forcing a resident to shower, increasing the level of care without consent, and overcharging the resident.
    04 Apr 2023
    Investigated allegations of staff forcing a resident to shower, increasing the level of care without consent, and overcharging; determined there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the claims.
    18 Jan 2023
    Found there was enough staff to meet residents' needs across all shifts, with agency and on-site staff providing coverage. Residents were observed calm and comfortable, and staff reported adequate coverage with no unusual incidents.
    18 Jan 2023
    Found no evidence that the authorized representative was charged extra fees. Interviews indicated a discussion about an additional one-on-one care charge, but no invoice or agreement supported any such charge, and no charges were applied.
    18 Jan 2023
    Reviewed staffing schedules and conducted interviews with staff and residents to investigate an allegation of insufficient staffing at the facility. No evidence was found to support the allegation.
    20 Sept 2022
    Found no deficiencies following the infection-control follow-up; the administrator said she would complete the recommendations.
    20 Sept 2022
    Found an unlocked medication on the bathroom sink during an unannounced case management visit on 09/20/2022 at 5:00 PM; deficiencies were identified and cited, and an exit interview was conducted.
    20 Sept 2022
    Observed medication left unlocked and unattended at the bathroom sink counter during the visit.
    • §
    10 Jun 2022
    Found that a resident eloped from memory care on 5/26/2022 and was found in the parking lot by a family member, with no incident report submitted to the licensing office. Identified that a staff member was not initially associated with the site, but was later linked by the business office manager.
    • §
    • §
    • §
    10 Jun 2022
    Investigation found that a staff member administered an incorrect medication dosage and did not follow physician's orders, and that another staff member assisted with medications without proper training. Observed that residents were provided with activities and entertainment, and there was insufficient evidence to prove staffing shortages.
    10 Jun 2022
    Confirmed incorrect medication dosage administration and insufficient staff, substantiating untrained staff allegations. Activities were observed being provided to residents.
    • § 87411(c)(3)
    • § 87465(c)(2)
    16 May 2022
    Found readiness to license after an unannounced case management visit, with no deficiencies identified. The review covered operating requirements, personal rights, physical environment, personnel records, criminal clearances, medical and dental care, dementia care, staff training, and Covid-19 information, with final approval by the Centralized Application Bureau pending.
    16 May 2022
    Found pre-licensing steps completed with no deficiencies observed; awaiting final approval by the central licensing office.
    16 May 2022
    Confirmed no deficiencies during the presentation.
    05 May 2022
    Confirmed COMP II completed with understanding of license type, client and resident populations, and program, along with staff qualifications and responsibilities, staff training, applicant and administrator qualifications, grievances and community resources, food service, medication management, and pre-licensing inspection. Noted that the applicant and administrator participated by telephone with identity verified.
    05 May 2022
    Confirmed successful completion of COMP II by CAB for an initial RCFE application, with verification of applicant and administrator understanding of key operational areas.

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