Inspection Reports for Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria
1220 N Suey Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93454, CA, 93454
Back to Facility ProfileInspection Report Summary
Most inspections found no deficiencies, and several complaint investigations were unsubstantiated, reflecting generally good compliance with regulations. The most recent report from September 17, 2025, was clean with no deficiencies noted. Earlier reports included some isolated issues such as facility disrepair in January 2024 and a substantiated complaint in May 2022 about unsafe conditions during renovations causing resident respiratory distress. A serious event occurred in November 2023 when the facility was fined $500 for failing to prevent a resident’s elopement that led to injury. Overall, the facility appears to have addressed past problems, with recent inspections showing improvement and no new deficiencies.
Deficiencies (last 5 years)
Deficiencies (over 5 years)
1.4 deficiencies/year
Deficiencies are regulatory violations found during state inspections.
65% better than California average
California average: 4 deficiencies/yearDeficiencies per year
4
3
2
1
0
Census
Latest occupancy rate
60% occupied
Based on a September 2025 inspection.
This facility has shown a decline in demand based on occupancy rates.
Census over time
Inspection Report
Annual Inspection
Census: 197
Capacity: 330
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Sep 17, 2025
Visit Reason
The inspection was a required 1-year unannounced annual visit to evaluate compliance with licensing and operational requirements.
Findings
The facility was found to be operating in compliance with fire clearance and licensing requirements. Resident records and incident reports were reviewed and found to be properly maintained. Disaster preparedness documentation and recent fire drills were verified. No deficiencies were explicitly cited in this report.
Report Facts
Capacity: 330
Census: 197
Fire drill date: Aug 21, 2025
Fire department inspection date: Aug 15, 2025
Liability insurance expiration: Dec 1, 2025
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Easby | Administrator | Met with Licensing Program Analyst during inspection |
| Melisa Rankin | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the inspection |
| Kelly Burley | Licensing Program Manager | Named as Licensing Program Manager on report |
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Census: 193
Capacity: 330
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Sep 10, 2025
Visit Reason
The visit was an unannounced complaint investigation conducted to investigate an allegation that staff threatened a resident with eviction.
Complaint Details
The complaint alleged that staff threatened a resident with eviction. The allegation was found to be unsubstantiated after interviews and record reviews.
Findings
The investigation found no evidence to substantiate the allegation. Interviews with the resident, staff, and administrator, as well as record reviews, indicated no eviction notices were issued and the allegation was unsubstantiated.
Report Facts
Capacity: 330
Census: 193
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Easbey | Administrator | Named in the allegation and interviewed during the investigation |
| Debra Gonzales | Health Services Director | Met with Licensing Program Analyst during the investigation |
| Garrett Haner-Tomasko | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the complaint investigation |
| Kelly Burley | Licensing Program Manager | Named as Licensing Program Manager on the report |
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Census: 190
Capacity: 330
Deficiencies: 0
Date: May 7, 2025
Visit Reason
An unannounced complaint investigation visit was conducted due to allegations that the facility did not meet a resident's needs and did not seek timely medical attention for the resident.
Complaint Details
The complaint alleged that on 05/01/2025, Resident 1 was found lying in bodily fluid, unresponsive, with eye discharge, and that staff were unaware of when the resident was last checked. The investigation found no sufficient evidence to prove the alleged violations occurred, and the complaint was unsubstantiated.
Findings
The investigation included interviews, observations, and documentation review. The allegations that the facility failed to provide timely checks and medical attention to the resident were found to be unsubstantiated based on evidence and interviews with staff, residents, and family.
Report Facts
Capacity: 330
Census: 190
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Easbey | Administrator | Interviewed during the complaint investigation |
| Melisa Rankin | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the complaint investigation visit |
| Kelly Burley | Licensing Program Manager | Named as Licensing Program Manager on the report |
Inspection Report
Annual Inspection
Census: 197
Capacity: 330
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Sep 5, 2024
Visit Reason
The inspection was a 1-year required annual visit to evaluate compliance with licensing and operational requirements.
Findings
The facility was found to be in compliance with infection control, physical plant safety, operational requirements, staffing, personnel records, resident records, food service, incidental medical services, disaster preparedness, and care for residents with special health needs. No deficiencies were issued.
Report Facts
Staffing: 111
Administrator: 1
Resident Ambulatory: 143
Resident Non-Ambulatory: 51
Resident Bedridden: 3
Hospice Residents: 3
Food Perishables: 2
Food Non-Perishables: 7
Fire Extinguisher Inspection Date: Aug 21, 2024
Administrator Certificate Expiry: Sep 15, 2024
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Audie Sherberg | Administrator | Met during inspection and named in report |
| Debra Gonzales | Health Services Director | Met during inspection and named in report |
| Erika Miller | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted inspection and signed report |
| Kelly Burley | Licensing Program Manager | Named in report |
Inspection Report
Annual Inspection
Census: 189
Capacity: 330
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Aug 27, 2024
Visit Reason
The visit was a required, unannounced annual inspection to evaluate the facility's compliance with licensing regulations.
Findings
The Licensing Program Analyst conducted a records review for staff and residents and explained the purpose of the visit. The inspection was not completed on this date and will continue at a later time.
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Audie Sherberg | Administrator | Met with Licensing Program Analyst during inspection. |
| Debra Gonzales | Health Services Director | Met with Licensing Program Analyst during inspection. |
| Erika Miller | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the inspection and records review. |
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Census: 234
Capacity: 330
Deficiencies: 4
Date: Jan 25, 2024
Visit Reason
The inspection was an unannounced complaint investigation visit triggered by an allegation that the facility is in disrepair.
Complaint Details
The complaint was substantiated. The allegation was that the facility is in disrepair, including issues with the handicap door button, water leakage, broken dryer, and gate lock. The facility attempted timely mitigation of these issues.
Findings
The investigation substantiated the allegation that the facility was in disrepair, including a non-working handicap door entry button, water leakage above a door, a broken dryer, and a gate lock that does not operate from outside. The facility attempted to resolve these issues in a timely manner and a Technical Violation was issued.
Deficiencies (4)
Handicap door entry button in building 1350 not working for six to eight weeks, making access difficult for residents using walkers or wheelchairs.
Water leakage from the top of the door frame above an entry door, causing navigation difficulties.
Dryer on the second floor in Building 1220 broken since December 15, 2023, with a new dryer delivered but not yet installed.
Back gate near pool patio has a lock that does not operate from outside.
Report Facts
Residents interviewed: 6
Residents unable to open door without assistance: 3
Complaint received date: Jan 18, 2024
Inspection visit duration: 4
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Erika Miller | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the complaint investigation |
| Jenny Olson | Licensing Program Analyst | Assisted in conducting the complaint investigation |
| Audie Sherberg | Administrator | Interviewed during the investigation and met with LPAs |
| Kelly Burley | Licensing Program Manager | Oversaw the complaint investigation |
| Maintenance Director | Interviewed and provided work orders related to maintenance issues |
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Census: 260
Capacity: 330
Deficiencies: 1
Date: Nov 13, 2023
Visit Reason
A Case Management - Incident visit was conducted due to a self-reported elopement incident involving a resident who wandered away from the facility and was injured.
Complaint Details
The visit was triggered by a self-reported incident where Resident 1 was missing from Memory Care on 10/28/23, found outside the facility with injuries. The complaint was substantiated by the cited deficiency and penalty.
Findings
The facility was cited for failing to ensure the safety of Resident 1 who eloped from the memory care unit, resulting in a fall and brain bleed. An immediate $500 civil penalty was assessed due to the injury sustained during the elopement.
Deficiencies (1)
Failure to ensure Resident 1's safety when they wandered away from the facility, resulting in a fall and brain bleed.
Report Facts
Civil penalty amount: 500
Census: 260
Total capacity: 330
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Audie Sherberg | Administrator | Met with Licensing Program Analyst during the visit and provided information about the incident. |
| Jeannette Olson | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the Case Management - Incident visit and authored the report. |
| Kelly Burley | Licensing Program Manager | Named as supervisor and Licensing Program Manager in the report. |
Inspection Report
Annual Inspection
Census: 224
Capacity: 330
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Oct 4, 2023
Visit Reason
The inspection was an unannounced annual continuation visit conducted by the Licensing Program Analyst to review facility staff training, criminal record clearance, and complete the CARE Tool questions.
Findings
The Licensing Program Analyst conducted interviews with five residents and completed the review without noting any deficiencies or violations in the report. An exit interview was completed and a copy of the report was issued.
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Jenny Olson | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the annual continuation visit and resident interviews. |
| Brenda Steed | Business Office Manager | Met with the Licensing Program Analyst during the visit. |
| Kelly Burley | Licensing Program Manager | Named as Licensing Program Manager on the report. |
Inspection Report
Annual Inspection
Census: 265
Capacity: 330
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Aug 23, 2023
Visit Reason
The visit was an unannounced annual continuation case management inspection to ensure compliance with Title 22 Regulations and to check for health and safety hazards.
Findings
The facility was found to be in compliance with health and safety regulations. Common areas, restrooms, and infection control measures were all adequate, with no hazards observed. Equipment such as fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors were operational and maintained.
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Audie Sherberg | Administrator | Met with Licensing Program Analyst during the inspection. |
| Jenny Olson | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the annual continuation visit. |
| Kelly Burley | Licensing Program Manager | Named in the report as Licensing Program Manager. |
| Jeannette Olson | Licensing Program Analyst | Named in the report as Licensing Program Analyst. |
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Census: 265
Capacity: 330
Deficiencies: 1
Date: Aug 22, 2023
Visit Reason
The inspection was an unannounced complaint investigation visit triggered by allegations that the facility did not meet the resident's needs after a new diagnosis of dementia, did not follow a doctor's note, and violated the resident's personal rights.
Complaint Details
The complaint investigation was substantiated regarding the facility not meeting the resident's needs after a new dementia diagnosis, specifically allowing hazardous items in the resident's room. The allegations that the facility did not follow a doctor's note removing the dementia diagnosis and that the facility violated the resident's personal rights by forcing a shower were unsubstantiated.
Findings
The investigation substantiated that the facility allowed a resident diagnosed with dementia to keep hazardous cleaning supplies in their room, violating regulations. However, allegations that the facility did not follow a doctor's note removing the dementia diagnosis and that the facility violated the resident's personal rights related to shower assistance were unsubstantiated.
Deficiencies (1)
Facility allowed resident with dementia to keep cleaning supplies and disinfectants in their room.
Report Facts
Capacity: 330
Census: 265
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Jeannette Olson | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the complaint investigation and issued findings |
| Kelly Burley | Licensing Program Manager | Oversaw the complaint investigation |
| Audie Sherberg | Administrator | Facility administrator involved in interviews and findings |
Inspection Report
Annual Inspection
Census: 265
Capacity: 330
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Aug 22, 2023
Visit Reason
The Licensing Program Analyst arrived unannounced to conduct a required annual visit to the facility.
Findings
The Licensing Program Analyst reviewed resident and staff records, toured kitchens, and inspected medication storage. All reviewed resident and staff files were complete, kitchens were clean and operational, and medications were properly labeled and checked for expiration. The Administrator was advised to ensure proper documentation on the CSMAR.
Report Facts
Resident files reviewed: 10
Staff files reviewed: 10
Care staff interviewed: 3
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Audie Sherberg | Administrator | Met with Licensing Program Analyst during the inspection |
| Jenny Olson | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the annual inspection visit |
| Kelly Burley | Licensing Program Manager | Named in the report header |
Inspection Report
Annual Inspection
Census: 265
Capacity: 330
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Aug 24, 2022
Visit Reason
On-site 1 year infection control annual visit conducted to assess the facility's compliance with infection control policies and procedures.
Findings
The facility demonstrated compliance with infection control protocols including symptom screening, PPE use, social distancing, and staff training. No deficiencies were observed during the exit interview.
Report Facts
PPE supply: 30
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Audie Sherberg | Administrator | Met with Licensing Program Analyst during inspection and responsible for facility operations |
| Jeannette Olson | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the inspection visit |
| Kelly Burley | Licensing Program Manager | Named in report header and narrative |
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Census: 245
Capacity: 330
Deficiencies: 1
Date: May 12, 2022
Visit Reason
An unannounced complaint investigation visit was conducted in response to a complaint alleging the facility did not provide a safe environment for residents.
Complaint Details
The complaint was substantiated. A credible witness observed a resident in respiratory distress due to strong paint fumes. The facility had a plan to mitigate fumes but did not ensure adequate ventilation overnight. A deficiency was cited and a plan of correction was submitted and cleared during the visit.
Findings
The investigation found that the facility was renovating a memory care building with painting and new flooring, which caused strong paint fumes posing a health and safety risk to residents. The allegation was substantiated based on observations and interviews, including a witness report of a resident in respiratory distress due to fumes.
Deficiencies (1)
87468.1 Personal Rights of Residents in All Facilities - The licensee did not ensure a safe environment for residents during renovations, posing potential health, safety, and personal rights risks.
Report Facts
Capacity: 330
Census: 245
Deficiency Type: 1
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Jeannette Olson | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the complaint investigation and authored the report |
| Audie Sherberg | Administrator | Facility administrator interviewed during the investigation and named in findings |
| Kelly Burley | Licensing Program Manager | Oversaw the complaint investigation |
Inspection Report
Original Licensing
Census: 207
Capacity: 330
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Aug 26, 2021
Visit Reason
Licensing Program Analyst Arien Diaz conducted a pre-licensing visit at the facility to evaluate readiness for licensure as a Residential Care for The Elderly.
Findings
The facility consists of memory care and assisted living buildings with appropriate safety features including working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, locked medication storage, and adequate emergency supplies. Some items such as dressers, night stands, and rubber bathroom mats are needed prior to licensure.
Report Facts
Bedrooms in memory care buildings: 36
Bedrooms in assisted living buildings: 176
Fire extinguishers observed: 16
Emergency water containers: 2
Emergency water gallons: 260
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Audie Sherberg | Administrator | Met during pre-licensing visit |
| Arien Diaz | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted pre-licensing visit and authored report |
| Kelly Burley | Licensing Program Manager | Named in report |
| Chris Ragan | Staff met during pre-licensing visit |
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