019200879-10-30-2025-15-AS-BFOG-DN5TSA-20251105135849

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 019200879
Report Date: 10/30/2025
Date Signed: 10/30/2025 02:33:29 PM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
OAKLAND ASC, 1515 CLAY STREET, STE. 310
OAKLAND, CA 94612

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
10/28/2025 and conducted by Evaluator David Doidge

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 15-AS-20251028160113

FACILITY NAME:	MERRILL GARDENS AT ROCKRIDGE		FACILITY NUMBER:	019200879
ADMINISTRATOR:	NIARE DAWN FEASTER		FACILITY TYPE:	740
ADDRESS:	5238 CORONADO AVE		TELEPHONE:	(510) 338-4543
CITY:	OAKLAND	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	94618
CAPACITY:	150	CENSUS: 127	DATE:	10/30/2025
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	11:00 AM
MET WITH:	Business Office Director Ariana Rodriguez		TIME COMPLETED:	02:45 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Facility dining room chairs are uncomfortable and unsafe.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 10/30/2025 at 11:00 AM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) David Doidge arrived unannounced to conduct an initial 10-day complaint investigation and deliver findings in regards to the allegation above. LPA met with Ariana Rodriguez Business Office Director and explained the purpose of the visit. Naire Feaster General Manager (GM) was called, and LPA spoke with Naire over the phone.
During the course of the investigation, LPAs observed residents in the dining room while lunch was being served. LPA interviewed several residents and inspected the chairs in the dining room. LPA also spoke with staff regarding the chairs.

Allegation: Facility dining room chairs are uncomfortable and unsafe.

Investigation Findings: It was reported to the department that the facility has brought in new chairs that are not safe nor comfortable for residents in care. The chairs are reported to be too low and too deep for short residents, causing residents’ feet to not touch the ground. It was also reported that the chairs do not offer back support for taller residents.

Continued on LIC9099-C

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Bennett Fong
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: David Doidge
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/30/2025

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/30/2025

This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 15-AS-20251028160113

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
OAKLAND ASC, 1515 CLAY STREET, STE. 310
OAKLAND, CA 94612

FACILITY NAME: MERRILL GARDENS AT ROCKRIDGE	FACILITY NUMBER: 019200879
	VISIT DATE: 10/30/2025

NARRATIVE

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Continued from LIC9099

Residents interviewed reported that there are three different chairs to choose from, with most residents reporting that the older chairs are the most comfortable. Some residents interviewed were okay with the newer orange chairs. All residents interviewed reported that the round chairs with green and tan fabric were uncomfortable. Staff in the facility reported that Corporate ordered that new chairs as part of a facility refresh, and that the older chairs are slowly being cycled out as the new ones come in.

LPA spoke with Vice President of Operations Manager (VPOM) David Tamo via phone. VPOM informed LPA that although the new chairs have been purchased, the facility is committed to the comfort and safety of residents and will keep a dialogue with residents to ensure their comfort while they dine.

LPA spoke with Naire Feaster General Manager (GM) on the phone about the chairs. GM informed LPA that the facility has, for now, held off removing all the older chairs, and will keep some of the old chairs to allow residents to get comfortable with the transition. GM is also committed to the comfort and safety of resident while they dine and will ensure that resident continue to have a choice as to which chair they use, and will ensure that staff make reasonable accommodations to residents while they dine.

LPA observed residents during lunch service. All residents have a choice of where they sit, and which chair they use. Staff do not mandate where or when residents sit to dine or which chair a resident must use. Residents are always given a choice of chair to use, and staff make accommodations within reason. If a resident cannot use a particular chair, or finds a particular chair unsafe, staff will and do switch out the chair for a more appropriate one.

Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did occur, therefore the allegation that the Facility dining room chairs are uncomfortable and unsafe is unsubstantiated.

No deficiencies observed during visit.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Bennett Fong
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: David Doidge
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/30/2025

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/30/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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