Merry Wood Lodge
280 Mt Hebron Road · Elmore, AL · 36025 · 3345678484
124 certified beds For profit - Limited Liability company Chain: Genesis Healthcare
Why this verdict
- Carries CMS’s abuse warning icon.
- Inspectors found immediate jeopardy — danger of serious harm or death — in the most recent cycle (5 citations).
- Inspection record is far worse than the national median (deficiency count and severity).
- Federal penalties on record: $182,968 in fines in the last 24 months.
Red flags
Special Focus Facility candidate
CMS lists this facility as a candidate for its Special Focus program for persistently poor inspection performance.
CMS abuse warning
CMS flags this facility with its abuse icon: cited for abuse that caused harm in the past year, or potential harm in the past two years.
5 immediate-jeopardy citations in the most recent inspection cycle
Immediate jeopardy is the most serious finding an inspector can make: a situation likely to cause serious injury, harm, or death.
4 abuse-related citations at the actual-harm level
Inspectors cited failures in the abuse-prevention rules (F600–F610) that resulted in actual harm to a resident.
$182,968 in federal fines in the last 24 months
1 fine — CMS fines are reserved for verified, serious non-compliance.
If someone you love was harmed at a facility with findings like these, you have options — read this.
Score breakdown
Quality-measure stars are deliberately excluded — they're largely self-reported by facilities. Full method.
CMS ratings & staffing
Overall: 1 of 5 Inspections: 1 of 5 Staffing: 3 of 5 Quality measures: 4 of 5
| Total nurse hours / resident-day | 3.20 | 3.48 min · 4.1 strong |
|---|---|---|
| RN hours / resident-day | 0.85 | 0.55–0.75 |
| Weekend hours / resident-day | 2.85 | ≈ weekday level |
| Nursing turnover / year | 54% | median 45% |
| Fines (3-yr window) | 1 · $182,968 |
Inspection citations (17 in the current record)
-
Actual harm · G October 17, 2024 · found via complaint
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Corrected November 12, 2024 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
-
Immediate jeopardy · J September 1, 2024 · found via complaint
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Corrected November 12, 2024 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
-
Immediate jeopardy · J September 1, 2024 · found via complaint
Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
Corrected September 26, 2024 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
-
Immediate jeopardy · J September 1, 2024 · found via complaint
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Corrected September 26, 2024 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
-
Immediate jeopardy · L September 1, 2024 · found via complaint
Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
Corrected September 26, 2024 · Administration
-
Immediate jeopardy · L September 1, 2024 · found via complaint
Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
Corrected September 26, 2024 · Administration
-
Potential for harm · F September 1, 2024 · found via complaint
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Corrected September 26, 2024 · Nutrition and Dietary
-
Potential for harm · F September 1, 2024 · found via complaint
Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.
Corrected September 26, 2024 · Nutrition and Dietary
-
No harm found · C September 1, 2024 · found via complaint
Electronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data.
Corrected September 26, 2024 · Administration
-
Potential for harm · D March 3, 2020
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Corrected April 1, 2020 · Resident Rights
-
Potential for harm · D March 3, 2020
Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
Corrected April 1, 2020 · Pharmacy Service
-
Potential for harm · D March 3, 2020
Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Corrected April 1, 2020 · Pharmacy Service
-
Potential for harm · F March 3, 2020
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Corrected April 1, 2020 · Nutrition and Dietary
-
Potential for harm · D March 3, 2020
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Corrected April 1, 2020 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
-
No harm found · C March 3, 2020
Post nurse staffing information every day.
Corrected April 1, 2020 · Nursing and Physician Services
-
Potential for harm · D December 13, 2018
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected January 17, 2019 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
-
Potential for harm · E December 13, 2018
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Corrected January 17, 2019 · Quality of Life and Care
Federal penalties
| Date | Type | Amount / length |
|---|---|---|
| September 1, 2024 | Fine | $182,968 |
| September 1, 2024 | Payment Denial | 42 days |
Family & resident reviews — a separate signal, never mixed into the score
No approved reviews yet. If your family has experience with this facility, yours could be the review that helps the next family decide.
Sign in to share your family's experience — reviews are moderated and never affect the Safety Score.
Source: CMS Care Compare (public domain), data as of June 1, 2026 · CCN 015019 · certified since January 1, 1974. The score is a screen, not a verdict on any one resident's experience — read how it's computed, then visit in person.