Assisted living facility · Eugene, OR · reviewed since 2021
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%65+35.5Reliability 24%51+12.4Value 14%60+8.5Replies to reviews 7%100+7.1Experts Score= 63Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.63SCORE
BGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#86 of 107 senior care servicesiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 20%
4.6★★★★★70 Google reviews · 22 photos
86%five-star reviews
4.95★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
6.8%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Google reviewers rate Merrill Gardens at Sheldon Park 4.6 out of 5 based on 70 reviews, with the owner responding to 97% of them. Praise frequently highlights the cleanliness of the facility, the quality and variety of food, and the availability of social activities. Staff are often described as friendly, compassionate, and responsive during the move-in process. However, a minority of low-star reviews criticize the facility for ignoring basic resident needs and lacking clear communication from staff.
Google rating: 4.6 out of 5 from 70 reviews (86% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 70 Google reviews (53 with written comments, 2 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 97% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 26, 2026.
Service: Senior Care Service serving Eugene, Oregon.
Data from Google, last updated November 1, 2026.
Score profile vs other senior care services
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: momentum and replies to reviews; weakest: reliability.
This companySenior Care Services median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Merrill Gardens at Sheldon Park: 65/100 on this factor. Category median: 82.B
65
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Merrill Gardens at Sheldon Park: 51/100 on this factor. Category median: 76.C
51
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 100.–
–
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Merrill Gardens at Sheldon Park: 60/100 on this factor. Category median: 78.B
60
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Merrill Gardens at Sheldon Park: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Merrill Gardens at Sheldon Park: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 58.A
100
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
70 Google reviews we collected
4.6of 5
5 stars6086%
4 stars34%
3 stars00%
2 stars11%
1 star69%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 53 written reviews
93%praise
Praise5593%
Complaints47%
PriceiGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.
Price verdicts customers left with their Google review
89%fair
Great price333%
Reasonable556%
Overpriced111%
Not sure00%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
6topics
Staff & attitude3356%
Honesty & trust712%
Would recommend712%
Quality & results47%
Speed & response47%
Communication47%
What customers talk about
We read 53 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“The care here is genuinely personal — the staff take the time to know each resident, not just their needs, and that kindness shows up every single day.”
“Everyone we’ve encountered has been friendly, helpful, and genuinely kind.”
“Five stars for an immaculate community full of competent Eugene's best people.”
“But I can't recommend this place.”
“The chef works so hard to provide a top notch culinary experience every day.”
“Food options are tasty and varied regularly and though under-spiced, perhaps understandably so, our chef has been quick to provide hot sauces on request.”
“Sheldon Park is so easy to work with and really has the residents best interest in mind.”
People customers mention
Alex3 reviews
Living3 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Recent reviews
Ddeana4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 5 days ago★★★★★
Choosing Merrill Gardens was one of the best decisions we've made for our family. The care here is genuinely personal — the staff take the time to know each resident, not just their needs, and that kindness shows up every single day.
The food is another standout. Meals are fresh, varied, and actually enjoyable, and…
Great price
DDina10 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a week ago★★★★★
My Aunt has lived at Merrill Gardens for two years. She is very happy there and I am so impressed with the quality of the care. The staff is dedicated and experienced! They really care about the residents and they show it every day. The food is delicious and the variety is amazing. The chef works so hard to…
CChandraLocal Guide · 12 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 months ago★★★★★
As a hospice worker, I visit retirement communities daily. My experience at Merrill Gardens has always been very positive. The team is conscientious and caring and the facility is well-maintained. It is a pleasure to engage with the staff and residents at Merrill Gardens.
NNorma3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 5 months ago★★★★
My husband and I have been at Merrill Gardens now for about a month and are very pleased with the accommodations, the service and care from the staff. All are friendly and respond immediately to any question or concern that might arise. It has been an adjustment but made easy by those in charge. We are pleased to…
Reasonable price
EElizabethLocal Guide · 15 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 6 months ago★★★★★
Very nice facility. Well taken care of with kind staff and well maintained grounds
EelinorLocal Guide · 10 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 6 months ago★★★★★
Merrill Gardens is a very nice facility.....clean, light and bright. The courtyard and layout of the building allows residents in memory care to wander about quite freely. The best thing of all about the place, though, is the atmosphere created by the the staff. It is one of kindness and caring and they are…
Choosing Merrill Gardens was one of the best decisions we've made for our family. The care here is genuinely personal — the staff take the time to know each resident, not just their needs, and that kindness shows up every single day.
The food is another standout. Meals are fresh, varied, and actually enjoyable, and mealtimes feel social and welcoming rather than institutional.
What really sets Merrill Gardens apart, though, is the activities and the Bridges program. There's always something engaging going on, and for residents living with cognitive decline, Bridges provides structure, patience, and meaningful connection in a way that preserves dignity and joy. It's clear the team understands how to meet people where they are.
If you're looking for a place where your loved one will be cared for, well fed, and truly engaged, I can't recommend Merrill Gardens highly enough.
Price assessment: Great price
Response from the owner · a day ago
Hello Deana, thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that Merrill Gardens has made such a positive impact on your family. Our team is dedicated to providing personalized care and engaging activities, and it's rewarding to know that our efforts are appreciated. We truly value your recommendation!
D
Dina and Sal10 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Dina has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
My Aunt has lived at Merrill Gardens for two years. She is very happy there and I am so impressed with the quality of the care. The staff is dedicated and experienced! They really care about the residents and they show it every day. The food is delicious and the variety is amazing. The chef works so hard to provide a top notch culinary experience every day. I’m so thankful for this place. I believe it’s added years to my Aunt’s life!
Response from the owner · a week ago
Hi Dina and Sal, thank you for your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that your Aunt is happy at Merrill Gardens and that our dedicated team have made such a positive impact.
C
Chandra BigelowLocal Guide · 12 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Chandra has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
As a hospice worker, I visit retirement communities daily. My experience at Merrill Gardens has always been very positive. The team is conscientious and caring and the facility is well-maintained. It is a pleasure to engage with the staff and residents at Merrill Gardens.
Response from the owner · 3 months ago
Hi Chandra, thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this review! It means a lot coming from someone with your professional expertise. We're thrilled you had such a great experience with us, and we will be sure to share this with our team!
L
Liz Clark2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Liz has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Hello Liz, we're happy to hear you had such a positive experience with our team at Merrill Gardens!Please let us know if there is anything else we can do for you; we are more than happy to help!
K
Kristy Carpenter1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Kristy has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
My husband and I have been at Merrill Gardens now for about a month and are very pleased with the accommodations, the service and care from the staff. All are friendly and respond immediately to any question or concern that might arise. It has been an adjustment but made easy by those in charge. We are pleased to have chosen Merrill Gardens over other facilities we had toured.
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Response from the owner · 5 months ago
Thank you for choosing Merrill Gardens and for taking the time to share your positive experience, Norma! We are thrilled to hear that you and your husband are pleased with our community and team.
E
Elizabeth SteinhouseLocal Guide · 15 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Elizabeth has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Merrill Gardens is a very nice facility.....clean, light and bright. The courtyard and layout of the building allows residents in memory care to wander about quite freely. The best thing of all about the place, though, is the atmosphere created by the the staff. It is one of kindness and caring and they are experts at diffusing difficult situations and listening.
Response from the owner · 6 months ago
Thank you for your kind words, Elinor! We take pride in providing a clean and welcoming environment for our residents. It's reviews like yours that motivate us to continue delivering exceptional care and service.
H
Hilary Spray9 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Hilary has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
