Merrill Gardens at Ballard sits in the historic Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, close to the marina on Salmon Bay, with shops, restaurants, museums, parks, and cafes all nearby, and you'll notice the big windows make the place bright and cheerful because sunlight comes right in, which people seem to like. This community has independent living, assisted living, and memory care all in one place, so residents can get the right amount of help as their needs change, whether someone just wants a maintenance-free life or needs help with bathing, dressing, or managing medicine. They've got modern apartments, offering studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom layouts, each with private space, and there's Wi-Fi and high-speed internet in every private room, with washer and dryer, kitchen or kitchenette, central air, and lots of storage, and some apartments even have balconies or patios for sitting outside.
The place is well-known for being well-run and beautiful, and there's always friendly staff around, celebrated through awards for being helpful and kind with residents, family, and visitors, and people say the staff know what they're doing, quick to help, and make the place feel inviting. There's 24-hour staffing, on-site nurses and care staff, and residents can get services like laundry, weekly housekeeping, transportation, on-site maintenance, and help with daily needs, and it's all run by Merrill Gardens LLC, a family-owned company, licensed as ALF 2507 with 50 licensed beds serving seniors at many care levels.
Independent living at Merrill Gardens at Ballard works out for active and social seniors, who want their own space but still enjoy activities, outings, a library, living rooms, meeting spaces, a wine bar, salon, rooftop deck, garage, and walking paths-and people gather in the theater room and join fitness classes, play games, volunteer, or join group trips as part of the Active Living program, which has even been recognized with awards for engagement. Residents can eat in a restaurant-style dining room, with flexible meal times and nutritious food planned by chefs, making sure everyone eats well, and there's a wellness program, pet-friendly policies, and security around the building.
For those needing more help, the assisted living program supports with bathing, dressing, grooming, medication, and safety checks while encouraging people to stay as independent as possible, and care plans are tailored to the individual. Home care, respite care, and hospice services are available too, so as people's needs change, the level of help can change right along with them.
Memory care at Merrill Gardens at Ballard centers around the Garden House community, especially for adults with Alzheimer's or other dementias, where the environment helps prevent wandering and confusion, and the staff uses a Montessori approach that encourages residents' routines, success, and choice, keeping up their sense of belonging. There are secure outdoor courtyards, and the memory care team is specially trained and stays on site around the clock, and the staff encourages family to join daily activities. Everything is designed to feel home-like, calm, and familiar, so residents get comfort and safety. The Inspire Connection Program celebrates each person as a whole, and the staff builds a setting where everyone's strengths are valued, with small, comfortable rooms and caring staff quick to help.
Merrill Gardens at Ballard stands as a continuing care retirement community, offering different levels of support all under one roof, and residents can stay in familiar surroundings even as their needs change. There's a full calendar of activities to keep everyone involved-social, physical, mental, and emotional engagement come through things like charity work, games, outings, movies, and fitness classes. The grounds are landscaped nicely with secure outdoor spaces, and everything's designed for seniors' comfort and convenience, with amenities and care services to meet different lifestyles. You can take a virtual tour or look at the photo gallery on their website at https://www.merrillgardensballard.com.
