Merrill Gardens at Bankers Hill — Local services in San Diego

After visiting many assisted living facilities, my mother chose Merrill Gardens, Bankers Hill, and was there for five years. The manager there, Lori Hansen, is extraordinary. It's not just me saying that - she has many "Best of the Year" awards on her wall, for good reason. She screens and hand picks each staff member carefully, for competence and caring, then continues to maintain a community environment founded on mutual respect, appreciation, and high standards of care. Because of this, residents are treated very well by staff members who feel appreciated and care about their work.

My mother was always wanting me to write letters of appreciation about different caregivers. Even the night personnel were notably particularly loving and cheerful with her. For example, one time my mother thought that she had hung up the phone when a caregiver came to help her, but she hadn't. She hadn't been there long, so I stayed on the line, to monitor what care she was getting. I was beyond pleased when the caregiver came in and cheerfully greeted her and encouraged conversation with her. There was no hint of a rush to get in and out, but rather a focus on a comfortable, pleasant, caring, cheery interaction with my mother. Over time she truly felt loved which meant so much to my brother and I.

And I must also mention how wonderful it is that the residents can eat from an extensive menu that changes daily, anytime all day long. The chef there, Aaron, is incredibly dedicated to high standards and is "above and beyond" accommodating. He even solicits the residents for favorite recipes of theirs that he can make for them! Each meal is individually prepared to the resident's liking. Some residents like to hang out in the cafeteria area, talking over coffee and dessert for hours, and that is fine. If a resident sits at a table alone, she/he can expect that another resident will likely come over and ask if she/he would like company, because it is a very friendly, supportive community.

It is an understatement to say that Lori goes all out on all the holidays with props and special guests! At a western-themed holiday last year, she even brought in a horse! I don't know if you can find a youtube of that event on the internet, but if you can, be prepared to LOL!

Many of the staff became dear to us and I strive to stay in touch with them. They are special, loving, deserving souls who made my mother's final years some of her best. I could never thank...

Merrill Gardens at Bankers Hill is truly an amazing place. I moved my 89 year old mother there in June. She was living alone and independent but I wanted her to be with other people, participate in games, art classes, events, field trips, etc. The facility is like a resort. The food is extremely good, there are lots of nice bright open areas to relax, listen to the piano or read a book in the library or go up to the garden overlooking San Diego bay. Lori, the director, is the nicest person you’ll ever meet. She treats all her residents as family. All of the staff truly cares about everyone there. Soon after moving in she fractured a vertebrae in her back and had to have a surgical procedure. I was out of the country so Lori went to the ER and stayed with her. After she returned from the hospital my mother needed full assistance for a couple of weeks while she recovered. Their care staff are absolutely the best in every way. They brought her meals, helped her eat, bathed her, gave her all her medications 3-4 times a day and kept me updated. Physical therapist came in to her apartment and worked with her regularly until she was better. Soon she was better and enjoying all the amenities at Merrill Gardens. Unfortunately after only 6 months she fell and suffered a severe head injury. After spending 9 weeks in hospitals and rehabs she passed away but we were able to get her back to her apartment for her last week on hospice. Again the care staff were outstanding. They worked with hospice to make sure she was comfortable as possible. We couldn’t recommend Merrill Gardens enough. Lori, Lupe, Alicia, and all the other staff are so nice and...

My mother is a Merrill Garden (MG) resident. She moved there, with some personal reservations in March 2022, having lived in her home for almost 50 years. She was immediately embraced by the MG community and she knew she had found her forever-home. From that point the experience only continued to blossom as Mom came to know the residents and the MG staff. Everybody, from the front desk staff, the dining room staff, the cleaning staff, the medical staff, the maintenance staff, and all the activity staff were always encouraging Mom to enjoy her new life at MG and encouraging her to participate in activities. It was the perfect transition for her and for us--we wished we had done it sooner; not to get rid of her, but to get her integrated into a community that was helping her enjoy the best of her final years.

Mom was recently recognized at an MG all-hands staff meeting as a guest to received a poster designating her as MG's "Most Spirited Resident" for MG's Spirit Week, honoring her dressing each day in-theme for Spirit Days--Bad Hair Day, Western Day, Sports Day, Decade Day, and Tropical Day. Mom enjoyed the number of staff members that introduced themselves to her and complimented her attire, then took a picture of themselves with Mom.

You have to realize that Mom is 102-1/2 years old and still loving her new life, and family, at Merrill Gardens. I give you all a warm thank you for all you have done, and continue to do, to make Mom an important part of your community. You all are family to her and therefore...