Merry Gardens Estates
Merry Gardens Estates is a 33-bed assisted living community located at 87 John Street in Camden, Maine. The community has operated for 28 years and requires residents to be at least 55 years of age.
The community currently maintains a 70% occupancy rate, with 23 of its 33 beds filled. This is below the Maine state average of 83.1%. Because availability is generally open, the facility can typically accommodate near-term admissions.
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Certification, has conducted 11 inspections at this facility, slightly above the state average of 10. The most recent inspection cited one deficiency regarding water temperatures in consumer areas exceeding the required range. This is below the Maine average of three deficiencies per inspection. The facility maintains a citations-per-inspection rate of zero, and no fines, enforcement actions, or substantiated complaints appear in the records.
The community is staffed 24 hours a day with 11 full-time employees. Services include personal care support, medication assistance, light housekeeping, linen service, and daily prepared meals. The facility is wheelchair accessible, featuring wide hallways with handrails, grab bars, and an elevator. On-site amenities include a library, community room, and laundry facility, and pets are permitted.
Seniors aged 55 and older seeking a small assisted living community with comprehensive accessibility features may find this environment appropriate. Families evaluating Merry Gardens Estates should confirm the resolution of the water temperature deficiency and verify the current license renewal status before making a placement decision.
Capacity and availability
About this community
Occupancy
Merry Gardens Estates is administered by Christine Rice.
Staffing
Key information about the people who lead and staff this community.
Inspection History
In Maine, the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Certification is responsible for inspecting long-term care facilities to ensure they meet quality of care standards.
Inspection Scorecard
This scorecard compares key inspection, deficiency, and complaint metrics at this facility against the Maine state average. Metrics rated ≥15% worse than average are highlighted in red; those ≥15% better are highlighted in green.
Since 2024 vs. Maine state average• Total deficiencies (67% below)
Deficiencies
| This Facility | ME Average | vs. ME Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total deficiencies
| 1 | 3 | This facility has 67% fewer total deficiencies than a typical Maine assisted living residence (1 vs. ME avg 3).↓ 67% better |
Inspections
| This Facility | ME Average | vs. ME Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total inspections
| 1 | 20 | This facility has had 95% fewer total inspections than the Maine average (1 vs. ME avg 20). More inspections can mean more regulatory scrutiny rather than worse care.↓ 95% fewer |
Places of interest near Merry Gardens Estates
0.1 miles from city center
Estimated distance in miles from Camden's city center to Merry Gardens Estates's address, calculated via Google Maps.
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Compare Assisted Living around the area
Info below is compiled from the ME Dept. of Health & Human Services (DHHS), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.
Communities are listed from highest to lowest based on our ranking methodology.
Care Types in This Table
AL (Assisted Living):
Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing.
NH (Nursing Home):
24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs.
SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility):
Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness.
MC (Memory Care):
Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia.
RC (Respite Care):
Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break.
RESC (Residential Care):
Personal care and daily-living support in a smaller, more intimate residential setting.
IL (Independent Living):
Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care.
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City and state of the facility. Used for mapping and state-average comparisons.
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Licensed bed capacity (maximum allowed). Not the same as how many beds are currently filled.
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Indicates whether residents are allowed to have pets in the facility.
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Third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100). Convenience/context metric, not a healthcare quality measure.
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Description of bed or unit types offered (e.g. assisted living, memory care), as reported in state or facility disclosures.
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Reported or derived occupancy for the facility—typically how fully licensed capacity is utilized. Compare across peers in the same market.
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A named contact for the facility. Hover the name to see their role — Administrator (state administrator of record or facility-provided administrator), Nursing Director, Medical Director, or Staff. The most authoritative available is shown.
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Count of regulatory inspections in the reporting window. Higher volume can reflect more oversight visits, complaint-driven surveys, or routine licensure cycles.
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How many inspections had one or more deficiencies recorded. Compare to total inspections to see how often problems were found on visit.
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Total count of deficiencies (cited regulatory issues) recorded in the selected reporting period. Read alongside inspection counts for context.
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The average number of deficiencies this facility receives each time it's inspected, calculated as total deficiencies ÷ total inspections. A lower number suggests more consistent compliance with safety and care standards.
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine Veterans’ Homes – Scarborough | AL MC NH RESC RC SNF | Scarborough (Oak Hill) | 120
Facility
120
ME AVG
20
Rank
#5 / 356 | No |
41
Facility
41
ME AVG
36
Rank
#146 / 357 | - | 93.3% | Patty Nutting | - | - | - | - |
| Stroudwater Lodge | AL IL | Westbrook | 115
Facility
115
ME AVG
20
Rank
#6 / 356 | Yes |
18
Facility
18
ME AVG
36
Rank
#237 / 357 | Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed | 84.3% | Nichole Doyer | 14 | 0
Facility
0
ME AVG
0.4
Rank
#1 / 304 | 0
Facility
0
ME AVG
3
Rank
#1 / 233 | 0.0
Facility
0.0
ME AVG
0.2
Rank
#1 / 233 |
| Merry Gardens Estates | AL IL | Camden | 33
Facility
33
ME AVG
20
Rank
#73 / 356 | No |
72
Facility
72
ME AVG
36
Rank
#43 / 357 | - | 69.7% | Christine Rice | 1 | 1
Facility
1
ME AVG
0.4
Rank
#260 / 304 | 1
Facility
1
ME AVG
3
Rank
#90 / 233 | 1.0
Facility
1.0
ME AVG
0.2
Rank
#91 / 233 |
| The Atrium at the Cedars | AL IL MC NH SNF | Portland (North Deering) | 30
Facility
30
ME AVG
20
Rank
#75 / 356 | Yes |
54
Facility
54
ME AVG
36
Rank
#89 / 357 | 1 Bed / 2 Bed | 86.7% | Katharine O\'Neill | 13 | 0
Facility
0
ME AVG
0.4
Rank
#1 / 304 | 2
Facility
2
ME AVG
3
Rank
#114 / 233 | 0.2
Facility
0.2
ME AVG
0.2
Rank
#119 / 233 |
| Country Village Estates | AL | Madawaska | 27
Facility
27
ME AVG
20
Rank
#88 / 356 | No |
10
Facility
10
ME AVG
36
Rank
#287 / 357 | Private / Shared Rooms | 100.0% | Louis G. Dugal | 15 | 0
Facility
0
ME AVG
0.4
Rank
#1 / 304 | 3
Facility
3
ME AVG
3
Rank
#142 / 233 | 0.2
Facility
0.2
ME AVG
0.2
Rank
#119 / 233 |
Frequently Asked Questions about Merry Gardens Estates
Is Merry Gardens Estates in a walkable area?
Merry Gardens Estates has a walk score of 72. Very walkable. Most errands can be accomplished on foot, and many essentials are within a short walk.
What is the license number of Merry Gardens Estates?
According to ME state health department records, Merry Gardens Estates's license number is ALP684.
When does Merry Gardens Estates's license expire?
According to ME state health department records, Merry Gardens Estates's license expires on October 16, 2026.
What is the occupancy rate at Merry Gardens Estates?
Merry Gardens Estates's occupancy is 70%.
How long has Merry Gardens Estates been in business?
Merry Gardens Estates has been operating for approximately 28 years, based on available licensing and registration records.
Are pets allowed at Merry Gardens Estates?
No, Merry Gardens Estates has a no-pet policy.
Who is the administrator of Merry Gardens Estates?
Christine Rice is the administrator of Merry Gardens Estates.
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