Merrill Gardens at First Hill provides Assisted Living, Independent Living, and Memory Care under one roof, allowing residents to transition between levels of support without leaving the community. The care team is equipped to manage advanced dementia as well as challenging behaviors such as wandering morning or night, elopement risk, combativeness, and other behavioral issues. Clinical oversight extends to wound care, oxygen therapy, special diets, and diabetic management for residents on oral medications, ensuring that complex medical needs are addressed on-site.

Direct care is reinforced by licensed nurses on every shift, an awake night staff, and an activity director who tailors daily programs to each resident’s abilities. Safety measures include 24-hour staffing, fenced front and rear lawns, emergency pull cords, and personal emergency response systems that alert staff instantly. Additional on-site services cover podiatry and psychiatric support. Residents who need assistance with activities of daily living can receive full help with bathing, dressing, eating, and toileting. Transfer support ranges from standby supervision for walker users to one-person assists for wheelchair transfers.

Apartments are available in several layouts, some offering private bathrooms, kitchenettes, individual climate controls, and cable access; not every unit includes every feature, so prospective residents should confirm during a tour. Personalization is encouraged, and residents may paint or decorate to suit their preferences. Independent Living residents benefit from medication-management monitoring, weekly housekeeping, scheduled laundry service, and a monthly meal plan that reduces daily chores.

Dining is prepared to order, allowing residents to choose meals that fit personal tastes or physician-directed dietary modifications. Snacks are available throughout the day, and the culinary staff works closely with clinical team members to manage low-sodium, diabetic, or other specialized diets. Residents in Independent Living have flexible meal credits built into their plans, while Assisted Living and Memory Care residents receive three daily meals with staff oversight as needed.

The community offers resident parking, covered and secure parking, and scheduled transportation while sitting close to public transit for added convenience. Amenities include wheelchair-accessible common areas, a barber and beauty shop, exercise and wellness rooms, a movie theater, internet access, communal gardens, and on-site religious services. Pets are allowed. It’s a good idea to check with the community during your visit to see if your pet will be allowed.

Residents and their families say:

Truewood by Merril, First hill, came highly recommended by many reviewers who lauded its staff's friendliness and professionalism. One reviewer described the community as warm and family-like, where everyone knows each other's names, with very welcoming staff. The community staff received praise for their knowledge and their supportive nature, with acknowledgment for the activities director who crafts creative activities for the residents. It was noted that staff communication was strong, being very open and responsive with excellent rapport demonstrated with all residents.

Many reviewers also described loves ones in the community as being happy, enjoying the array of activities offered, such as bus trips, singing sessions, and bingo, keeping residents engaged. The dining service and food were appreciated by many, with one reviewer noting the flexible meal plan and the open dining schedule. The environment was highlighted positively for its cleanliness, well-maintenance, and charming settings. Proximity to major healthcare providers was also mentioned positively. Truewood also stood out for its value for money, with one reviewer noting it as unbeatable compared to other locations researched.

Moving into Truewood seemed to be a pleasant experience for new residents, it was mentioned that the move-in process went very well. One reviewer even commented on placing a refundable deposit already and looking forward to moving in. For those who had previously moved loved ones into this community, they were appreciative of the process and care provided during these stages. It was also noted that Truewood was accommodating during unique circumstances, such as a lockdown, indicating excellent handling of such situations. Finally, a few reviewers have expressed how they would highly recommend the community, and some even harbored wishes to live there themselves when the time comes.

AI generated summary of real reviews