I toured The Ackerly and was very pleased. The brand-new, modern building is spotless with beautiful grounds and spacious apartments (in-unit washer/dryer, full kitchen, walk-in closets). The manager and staff went above and beyond-professional, caring, and quick to respond-and activities are excellent with restaurant-style dining and meals included. Residents seemed happy and social; I'd recommend a tour.
Loved one of resident
Jul 2026
Pricing
Prices shown are estimates and subject to change. Contact your senior living advisor for current pricing.
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Amenities
Healthcare services
Activities of daily living assistance
Assistance with bathing
Assistance with dressing
Assistance with transfers
Coordination with health care providers
Hospice waiver
Medication management
Mental wellness program
Healthcare staffing
12-16 hour nursing
24-hour call system
24-hour supervision
Meals and dining
Diabetes diet
Meal preparation and service
Restaurant-style dining
Special dietary restrictions
Room
Air-conditioning
Cable
Fully furnished
Housekeeping and linen services
Kitchenettes
Private bathrooms
Spa
Telephone
Wifi
Memory care community services
Dementia waiver
Mild cognitive impairment
Specialized memory care programming
Transportation
Community operated transportation
Transportation arrangement
Transportation arrangement (medical)
Transportation arrangement (non-medical)
Transportation to doctors appointments
Common areas
Beauty salon
Computer center
Dining room
Fitness room
Gaming room
Garden
Outdoor space
Small library
Wellness center
Community services
Concierge services
Fitness programs
Move-in coordination
Activities
Community-sponsored activities
Planned day trips
Resident-run activities
Scheduled daily activities
Reviews
3.89·(107)
Overall rating
5
4
3
2
1
Care
3.3
Staff
3.9
Meals
3.9
Amenities
4.5
Value
2.6
Pros
Modern, well‑appointed facility design
Spacious floor plans including one- and two‑bedroom units
In-unit washer and dryer and full kitchens in many apartments
Restaurant-style dining with varied menus
Engaging activity programming including live music and fitness classes
On-site gym and PrimeFit classes
Attractive, welcoming common areas and grounds
Convenient location near grocery stores and restaurants
Multiple levels of care available (independent, assisted, memory care)
Responsive maintenance and weekly apartment cleaning
Attentive, compassionate direct-care staff and unit managers
Friendly, social resident community
Frequent outings and transportation for activities
Low-maintenance living amenities (no resident lawn care)
Professional move-in and transition assistance
Clean, contemporary décor and new construction condition
Variety of dining rooms and meal-service options
Dedicated, proactive individual staff members and directors
Cons
Inconsistent staffing levels and caregiver shortages
High staff turnover and difficulty retaining employees
Inconsistent family communication and delayed updates
Variable memory-care program quality and responsiveness
Gaps in clinical coordination and therapy documentation
Inconsistent personal-care and hygiene practices
Perceived high cost relative to the delivered care
Management and corporate-policy inflexibility
Sales-driven placement practices affecting care decisions
Transportation safety and driver-training concerns
Limited payment-acceptance and admission restrictions
Intermittent variability in dining and food-service consistency
Summary of reviews
Overall impression: Merrill Gardens at Cedar Mill presents as a modern, well‑appointed senior community with attractive, newly decorated interiors, spacious apartment options, and a strong set of amenities. The location near grocery stores and restaurants, in-unit washers/dryers and full kitchens in many units, and low-maintenance living features are frequently cited as key selling points. Common areas, landscaping and multiple dining spaces contribute to a resort‑like, social atmosphere that many residents and families find welcoming.
Care and staff: Reviews reflect a mixed picture of direct care. Many families and residents praise compassionate, attentive caregivers, standout unit managers, and staff who go above and beyond to support independence and dignity. At the same time, there are repeated indications of inconsistent staffing levels, high turnover, and a reliance on a small number of committed employees to maintain standards. These workforce challenges appear to be linked to pay and retention issues and can contribute to delays in routine care tasks and uneven performance across shifts.
Clinical coordination and memory care: Several families describe gaps in clinical coordination—especially around physical therapy reporting, medication and therapy follow‑up, and timely family notification. Memory‑care experiences vary: some families describe a well‑structured, engaging unit, while others note that memory‑care responsiveness, admission decisions, and day‑to‑day engagement are inconsistent. Policies related to admissions and end‑of‑life care have been a source of concern for some families, suggesting the need to clarify scope-of-care limits and escalation pathways in advance.
Dining and activities: Dining and programming are strengths for many residents. Restaurant‑style meals, varied menus, and frequent social activities (live music, outings, fitness classes, and clubs) are commonly praised. That said, food quality and dining consistency have occasional variability; staffing or chef availability can affect meal service. Activity participation can be robust, though newer occupancy periods show lower participation levels until the community matures.
Management and communication: Management impressions are mixed. Numerous accounts commend individual managers and directors who are responsive and proactive, but there are also recurring complaints about inconsistent family communication, leadership that deflects responsibility, and a perception of sales priorities influencing care placement. Families considering the community should seek clear, written explanations of communication protocols, incident reporting, and escalation procedures.
Cost, policies and safety: Cost is described as higher than some alternatives, and the community does not accept all payment types, which may limit options for some families. Transportation safety and driver training have been raised as a specific operational concern to verify. Prospective residents should review admission restrictions (for example, high‑acuity equipment or certain feeding needs) and clarify policies for hospice or end‑of‑life care.
Bottom line: Merrill Gardens at Cedar Mill offers strong physical facilities, engaging programming, and many examples of high‑quality, compassionate caregiving. However, the community also shows patterns of operational strain—notably staffing instability, inconsistent communication, and variable clinical coordination and memory‑care responsiveness—that can affect individual experience. Prospective residents and families are advised to tour, meet clinical and memory‑care leadership, ask targeted questions about staffing ratios and turnover, request examples of therapy documentation and incident communication, and clarify financial and admission policies before committing.
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Location
Merrill Gardens at Cedar Mill is located at 11795 NW Cedar Falls Dr, Portland, OR, 97229.
About Merrill Gardens at Cedar Mill
Merrill Gardens at Cedar Mill sits in a quiet neighborhood at 11795 NW Cedar Falls Drive in Portland, Oregon, and you might notice how close it is to many shops, restaurants, and good medical care, so people can easily go out if they want or have family nearby, and there's a nice feeling around the place with well-kept grounds and a peaceful atmosphere. The community serves adults 55 and older, and it offers several types of living options-independent living for people who want freedom and don't need much help, assisted living for those who might need help each day with things like dressing or bathing, and a dedicated memory care section for people with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, using their special Connections by Ciel program just for that. There are a variety of floor plans, and residents get private apartments, even options like large studios, so people have space and privacy, but they can always spend time in the bigger community areas, which are open and nicely furnished for everyone to enjoy with friends or family visiting.
The place tries to foster a social and active lifestyle, and the staff put together programs and activities that help residents meet each other and stay busy, with an Active Living program that has things like exercise, arts, or group outings. They also have a restaurant-style dining room where you can eat pretty much whenever you want, which gives lots of flexibility and makes the days less rigid. People have access to help with medication, grooming, bathing, and other daily needs if they choose assisted living, and there's skilled nursing help on-site for anyone needing special care, which means residents often stay in the community as their needs change, since the place is part of a continuing care approach. The overall design of the community, including the layout and amenities, means residents can focus on living comfortably, staying safe, and keeping their independence as much as possible, while still getting support when needed. Merrill Gardens at Cedar Mill bases its approach on fairness, respect, and passion, which guides how staff work with the residents day to day, and their memory care wing is tailored to those who need extra support, with programs and staff that understand dementia. The whole place has a reputation for providing quality senior living in an attractive and caring environment, and it stands out in the area for its combination of upscale touches, strong support services, and a social, engaging setting.
About Leisure Care
Merrill Gardens at Cedar Mill is managed by Leisure Care.
Founded in 1976 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Leisure Care stands as one of the nation's largest privately held retirement and assisted living companies. Operating under the parent company One Eighty, a diversified hospitality organization, Leisure Care has established itself as a prominent player in the senior living industry for nearly five decades. The company currently operates 16 communities strategically located across six states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, and Florida.
People often ask...
Merrill Gardens at Cedar Mill offers competitive pricing, with rates starting at a cost of $6,153 per month.
Merrill Gardens at Cedar Mill offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care.
There are 24 photos of Merrill Gardens at Cedar Mill on Mirador.
Yes, Merrill Gardens at Cedar Mill allows residents to age in place and adjust their level of care as needed.
The full address for this community is 11795 NW Cedar Falls Dr, Portland, OR 97229.
No, Merrill Gardens at Cedar Mill does not offer respite care.
Respite care in assisted living communities provides temporary, short-term relief for primary caregivers by offering professional care for their loved ones. It allows individuals to stay in an assisted living community for a limited time, giving caregivers a break while ensuring residents receive necessary support and assistance with daily activities.
Safety & Compliance
In Oregon, the Department of Human Services' Aging & People with Disabilities program licenses assisted living and residential care facilities, conducting inspections, complaint investigations, and renewals.
Found deficiencies in abuse reporting, health services, restraints, acuity-based staffing, fire safety training, and building environment. Violations were identified across multiple areas.
Deficiency—Fire and Life Safety: Training for Residents
Deficiency—Doors, Walls, Elevators, Odors
Deficiency—Administration Compliance
Deficiency—Compliance with Rules Health Care
02 Dec 2025Inspection
02 Dec 2025Inspection
Investigated and found a failure to promptly investigate all reports of abuse and suspected abuse and to take measures to protect residents and prevent reoccurrence.
Licensing—Failed to report potential or suspected abuse
02 Dec 2025Abuse: Neglect
02 Dec 2025Abuse: Neglect
Found violations of resident rights and neglect of care due to failure to plan and intervene to prevent elopement, with a fine assessed.
Abuse—Failed to provide safe environment
11 Nov 2025Inspection
11 Nov 2025Inspection
Investigated and found that a resident was financially exploited by an individual using the resident's credit card; the provider failed to protect the resident from financial exploitation.
Licensing—Failed to protect resident from financial exploitation
16 Oct 2025Inspection
16 Oct 2025Inspection
Investigated and found a resident was financially exploited and protections against exploitation were not provided.
Licensing—Failed to protect resident from financial exploitation
08 Oct 2025Inspection
08 Oct 2025Inspection
Identified a failure to obtain background checks on all subject individuals, indicating a licensing rule violation.
Licensing—Failed to hire according to administrative rules
06 Feb 2025Kitchen
06 Feb 2025Kitchen
Identified sanitation deficiencies in kitchen practices and administration compliance issues related to licensing rules.
Identified deficiencies in resident rights, tracking of controlled substances, treatment orders, and building exterior.
Deficiency—Resident Rights and Protection - General
Deficiency—Systems: Tracking Control Substances
Deficiency—Systems: Treatment Orders
Deficiency—General Building Exterior
06 May 2024Inspection
06 May 2024Inspection
Investigated and identified a violation for failing to provide a homelike environment by allowing pests to enter and persist.
Licensing—Failed to provide a homelike environment
30 Jan 2024Licensure
30 Jan 2024Licensure
Determined substantial compliance with meals and food sanitation rules.
Deficiency—Comment
30 Jan 2024Licensure
30 Jan 2024Licensure
Concluded substantial compliance with meals and sanitation requirements.
Deficiency—Comment
29 Jan 2024Inspection
29 Jan 2024Inspection
Investigated the allegation that medication orders were not followed and concluded that a violation occurred.
Licensing—Failed to administer medication as ordered
05 Jan 2024Inspection
05 Jan 2024Inspection
Found that medication orders were not carried out as prescribed.
Licensing—Failed to administer medication as ordered
22 Sept 2023Inspection
22 Sept 2023Inspection
Determined that a resident's right to be treated with dignity and respect was not upheld. Found a deficiency related to resident rights.
Licensing—Failed to assure resident rights
23 Jun 2023License Condition
23 Jun 2023License Condition
Found that an acuity-based staffing tool was not used as required.
Regulatory Action—Failed to use an ABST
23 Jun 2023License Condition
23 Jun 2023License Condition
Investigated the allegation and found failure to use an ABST.
Regulatory Action—Failed to use an ABST
18 Apr 2023Inspection
18 Apr 2023Inspection
Investigated the allegation that ordered medication was not administered as prescribed.
Licensing—Failed to administer ordered medication
18 Apr 2023Inspection
18 Apr 2023Inspection
Found a deficiency for failing to implement a system to track controlled substances.
Licensing—Failed to properly secure or store medication
18 Apr 2023Validation
18 Apr 2023Validation
Identified multiple deficiencies in monitoring changes of condition, acuity-based staffing, fire and life safety, resident training, and facility maintenance with several rule violations cited. Also found doors and outdoor access issues affecting resident safety.
Deficiency—Comment
Deficiency—Change of Condition and Monitoring
Deficiency—Acuity-Based Staffing Tool
Deficiency—Fire and Life Safety: Safety
Deficiency—Fire and Life Safety: Training For Residents
Deficiency—Doors, Walls, Elevators, Odors
Deficiency—Administration Compliance
Deficiency—Compliance With Rules Health Care
Deficiency—Outside Area
17 Apr 2023Validation
17 Apr 2023Validation
Determined substantial compliance after the final follow-up review, with multiple deficiencies identified in abuse reporting, care planning, medication controls, staffing, fire safety, and building maintenance.
Found deficiencies in food sanitation, infection prevention, and administration rules, including cleanliness and repair issues in the kitchen, warewasher temperatures not meeting requirements, and incomplete masking compliance.
Found sanitation and infection-control deficiencies during the initial visit, including dirty kitchen conditions and improper mask use by staff. A follow-up determined substantial compliance with the cited rules.
Found a failure to provide a safe environment when a resident left the secured unit and was found in the lobby.
Abuse—Failed to provide safe environment
02 Aug 2022Complaint
02 Aug 2022Complaint
Found that interior materials and surfaces were not kept clean and equipment not in good repair, with mold observed in an apartment's HVAC compartment and the resident relocated.
Determined that the allegation of an unsafe environment was substantiated. Found interiors not kept clean and equipment not in good repair.
Licensing—Failed to provide safe environment
09 Apr 2022Abuse: Neglect
09 Apr 2022Abuse: Neglect
Found a failure to keep a resident safe, who was found outside near garbage cans; no injuries occurred.
Abuse—Failed to provide safe environment
01 Apr 2022Inspection
01 Apr 2022Inspection
Found failure to submit timely or adequate staffing documentation for 30 days. It involved weekly reporting of vaccinated individuals, residents, and staff to the proper authority.
Licensing—Failed to submit timely or adequate staffing documentation
01 Apr 2022Inspection
01 Apr 2022Inspection
Investigated a failure to submit timely weekly reporting of vaccinated individuals, residents and staff to the proper authority; the issue occurred from March 1 to March 31, 2022.
Licensing—Failed to submit timely or adequate staffing documentation
07 Oct 2021Abuse: Neglect
07 Oct 2021Abuse: Neglect
Investigated and identified a failure to provide a safe environment that placed a resident at risk, constituting abuse and neglect. A $375 fine was assessed.
Abuse—Failed to provide safe environment
01 Oct 2021Abuse: Neglect
01 Oct 2021Abuse: Neglect
Found neglect of care and abuse due to failure to provide a safe environment, resulting in a resident exiting the unit with another resident and both found later at risk.
Abuse—Failed to provide safe environment
22 Jul 2021Inspection
22 Jul 2021Inspection
Investigated an allegation of financial exploitation; found that money disappeared from a resident's room due to theft and protection of the resident's property was inadequate, violating state rules.
Licensing—Failed to protect resident from financial exploitation
21 Jul 2021Abuse: Neglect
21 Jul 2021Abuse: Neglect
Found that a resident's money went missing due to theft and protections for the resident's property were not provided; a fine was assessed.
Abuse—Failed to protect resident from financial exploitation
02 Jul 2021Inspection
02 Jul 2021Inspection
Investigated the allegation and confirmed the provider failed to evaluate a resident's ability to safely self-administer medications.
Licensing—Failed to perform adequate screening or assessment
16 Apr 2021Inspection
16 Apr 2021Inspection
Investigated the staffing allegation and found insufficient qualified awake direct care staff to meet 24-hour needs.
Licensing—Failed to provide appropriate staffing
19 Feb 2021Abuse: Neglect
19 Feb 2021Abuse: Neglect
Investigated a resident-to-resident altercation and found a failure to provide a safe environment, constituting abuse and neglect with a fine assessed.
Abuse—Failed to provide safe environment
25 Jan 2021Abuse: Neglect
25 Jan 2021Abuse: Neglect
Found that a resident was left unattended for hours and later located outside near the road after a fall, sustaining a knee injury. The incident was due to failure to provide a safe environment.
Abuse—Failed to provide safe environment
01 Jan 2021Abuse: Neglect
01 Jan 2021Abuse: Neglect
Found a failure to provide a safe environment, constituting abuse and neglect. A resident at risk of elopement exited the premises by breaking a fence and leaving, later being found unharmed.
Abuse—Failed to provide safe environment
28 Dec 2020Inspection
28 Dec 2020Inspection
Found that qualified awake direct care staff were not provided in sufficient numbers to meet 24-hour needs of residents.
Licensing—Failed to provide appropriate staffing
17 Dec 2020Inspection
17 Dec 2020Inspection
Found that qualified awake direct care staff were not provided in sufficient numbers to meet 24-hour needs, with a minimum of two staff scheduled and available whenever two are required.
Licensing—Failed to provide appropriate staffing
17 Dec 2020Inspection
17 Dec 2020Inspection
Investigated a staffing allegation and verified lack of employee training.
Licensing—Failed to provide appropriate staffing
08 Dec 2020Inspection
08 Dec 2020Inspection
Found a violation for providing services to a resident outside the licensed capacity. The action violated Oregon Administrative Rules.
Licensing—Failed to provide or assist with hygiene
23 Nov 2020Abuse: Neglect
23 Nov 2020Abuse: Neglect
Found that a resident at risk of wandering was not provided a safe environment on multiple dates, and a fine was assessed.
Abuse—Failed to provide safe environment
17 Nov 2020Inspection
17 Nov 2020Inspection
Investigated the staffing allegation and found that employees were not provided training.
Licensing—Failed to provide appropriate staffing
28 Oct 2020Inspection
28 Oct 2020Inspection
Investigated an allegation of failing to administer medication as ordered and found a delay in administration due to an electronic system malfunction.
Licensing—Failed to administer medication as ordered
29 Jul 2020Inspection
29 Jul 2020Inspection
Found that a staff member made inappropriate verbal comments toward a resident, causing emotional harm, and that the resident was not protected from such comments.
Licensing—Failed to protect resident from mental or emotional abuse
05 May 2020Inspection
05 May 2020Inspection
Found a deficiency for not having an adequate system to track controlled substances. The finding confirmed noncompliance with the applicable rule.
Licensing—Failure to provide a system that prevents theft or misuse of medication
05 May 2020Inspection
05 May 2020Inspection
Investigated and found deficient professional oversight of the medication administration system.
Licensing—Failed to provide a safe medication administration system
16 Feb 2020Abuse: Neglect
16 Feb 2020Abuse: Neglect
Found that a visitor allowed the Alleged Victim to exit the locked area without assistance, and the Alleged Victim was located later; the environment was unsafe.
Abuse—Failed to provide safe environment
11 Oct 2019Inspection
11 Oct 2019Inspection
Found a deficiency in the safe medication administration system.
Licensing—Failed to provide a safe medication administration system
11 Oct 2019Inspection
11 Oct 2019Inspection
Found a violation for failing to provide a safe medication administration system.
Licensing—Failed to provide a safe medication administration system
05 Jun 2017Abuse: Physical Abuse
05 Jun 2017Abuse: Physical Abuse
Found violations related to resident safety; an allegation of physical abuse showed failure to protect a resident from rough treatment and to provide a safe environment.
Abuse—Failed to protect resident from rough treatment
24 Feb 2017Inspection
24 Feb 2017Inspection
Investigated an allegation of unsafe environment and identified a licensing violation.
Licensing—Failed to provide safe environment
23 Feb 2017Inspection
23 Feb 2017Inspection
Determined the unsafe environment allegation had merit and found substantial noncompliance.
Licensing—Failed to provide safe environment
Disclaimer
Mirador Living is not affiliated with the owner or operator(s) of Merrill Gardens at Cedar Mill. The information above has not been verified or approved by the owner or operator. For exact information, please contact Merrill Gardens at Cedar Mill directly. There is no cost for this service. We are compensated by the community you select.
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