Merrill Gardens at Lafayette

Merrill Gardens in Lafayette has a wonderful staff. They have been considerate, kind and helpful. They make everyone feel welcome. I can’t thank the front desk and the med techs enough for how many times they’ve helped us out. Julianne, the activities director, has many fun activities and goes out of her way to invite and include everyone. They all work together to make a friendly environment. The dining room is always a pleasant experience. We feel very lucky to be part of the Merrill Gardens family.

My parents moved into Merrill Gardens in Lafayette, CA almost one year ago in October 2024. The decision to move took about three years for our family to make; that is to say, we did not take this decision lightly. Originally, my parents had planned to stay in their own home with help. This is something most seniors say they want to do, and downsizing a household of 60+ years is very difficult. However, finding in-home care is challenging and it needs to be managed. My mother's memory was getting worse, and my dad already had so much on his plate; he was getting exhausted, and he didn't want to have to manage giving instructions to in-home care doing the cooking, laundry, cleaning, and home maintenance. This is when we decided to try Merrill Gardens. What a difference a year has made! My parents have gone from surviving to two new people who are relaxed, content, and enjoying community with other seniors. My dad has always loved to garden, and he helps take care of the rooftop garden at the complex. My mom gets herself ready in the morning to go down to breakfast with her friends. Formerly, at their home, it was just the two of them, friends would not come around so often, and she was lonely. The other day, I took her to a doctor's appointment, and when we got back to Merrill Gardens a bunch of the community members were on the patio having a "s'mores cookout". Juliane, the activities director, knows exactly what is good for seniors: they were singing campfire songs, telling an "add-on" story where each person has to contribute something new, and just laughing and having fun. Moving to Merrill Gardens has been a huge relief to our whole family. My sister and I can relax now that we know our parents are safe, happy, and well-cared for.

My mother recently moved into Merrill Gardens Senior Residence in Lafayette, and the experience has been nothing short of wonderful. From the very beginning, the staff has been incredibly welcoming—pairing her with a resident ambassador, ensuring she had lunch and dinner companions, and paying thoughtful attention to her needs. Having previously lived alone in an apartment without a community, she now has friends, a sense of belonging, and is actively engaged in groups such as book clubs and game nights. The transformation in her quality of life has been remarkable, and I’m deeply grateful to the Merrill Gardens team for helping her feel so at home. Touring Merrill Gardens was such a pleasant surprise. The community offers a full spectrum of care—from beautiful, well-designed independent living apartments to memory care—with the added reassurance of a full-time nurse on staff. The facility itself feels more like a high-end resort than a senior residence, complete with a staffed restaurant, gym, transportation to appointments and shopping, and even an on-site salon. Another unexpected benefit was the cost—surprisingly reasonable compared to other senior residences in the area, many of which were more expensive yet far less impressive. Most importantly, I now have peace of mind knowing my mother is in a safe, supportive, and uplifting environment that has truly enhanced her life.

The team at Merrill Gardens has been absolutely fabulous. Every person on the team at Merrill Gardens has helped make my mother's transition into a new chapter of life much easier and enjoyable than we would have ever imagined. These transitions are difficult for all family members and I can't imagine anyone other than the team at Merrill Gardens at Lafayette guiding us through this. Thank you for helping our family find some peace, comfort and joy in this next chapter. My mother is fortunate to be with you.