Long-Term Care | MaineHealth Memorial Hospital

The Merriman House is a 45-bed facility with private and semiprivate rooms, dining room, living room, activities area, and outside patios. Capitalizing on elements such as natural sunlight, the building design helps residents adapt to the physical changes in vision and perception that occur with aging and dementia. Soft-colored furniture and a traditional New England look add to the overall home-like environment.

Small sitting areas and alcoves line the hallways, giving residents an opportunity to stop for a visit or a rest. Our patios and gardens are welcoming areas for residents and families to enjoy.

Room accommodations and requests are based on availability and appropriateness.

The following services are available to all residents and are included in the room rate:

• Supervision of medical care by a member of the MaineHealth Memorial Hospital medical staff
• Round-the-clock nursing services
• Routine dental care
• Activities program
• Social services
• Dietary services, including special diets as ordered by the attending physician
• Housekeeping and maintenance services
• Laundry services (for personal clothing)

Additional services are available on an individually paid basis or as covered by some insurers:

• Hairdressing services
• Audiology exams
• Pharmacy services
• Eye exams

Other Services available which are covered by Medicare or by Medicaid with prior approval, include:

• Physical therapy
• Respiratory therapy
• X-ray services
• Laboratory services
• Podiatry
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Hospice

Merriman House now offers its residents room service style dining, allowing everyone to order from a variety of menu items when they wish to eat. Each residents’ dietary preferences and restrictions will be respected and reflected in their food order. This will allow us to provide a wider variety of food options, ever changing menu to give residents more choices, instead of a static menu cycle other facilities may offer. Our goal is to provide a higher quality of food while giving residents more choices like they would have at home.

To view the latest menu options, click here.

We offer an ongoing support group for family members and friends of those affected by Alzheimer's disease and related memory disorders.

We have a variety of group and individual activities in which all residents are encouraged to participate to the best of their abilities. Church services, arts and crafts, Bingo and movies are among the weekly activities. Individually, residents may go for walks in the garden, have foot massages, and engage in other activities tailored to their personal interests and current abilities.

Regular physical activity programs encourage strength and flexibility. Periodic trips into the community are enjoyed during good weather. The Merriman House cats interact with residents, bringing warmth and affection to their daily lives. Our Activities Staff coordinates these functions and always welcome suggestions and ideas from families and residents.

Many members of the community volunteer their time and talents to assist residents in our activities programs. 

Music & Memory

Merriman House is a MUSIC & MEMORY certified facility. Merriman House staff participated in the programs training to bring individualized music therapy to our residents. To learn more about the MUSIC & MEMORY program visit musicandmemory.org or call our Activity department.

Visitors are welcome and hours are flexible. There are several comfortable locations throughout the Merriman House where residents and their visitors may have privacy or spend quiet time together.

The Merriman House opened in 1978 as a 21-bed Intermediate Care Facility in the original hospital, and moved to a newly-built 45-bed residence in 1992. It is named for Helen Bigelow Merriman, a woman who helped make MaineHealth Memorial Hospital a reality in 1911. The facility's design takes advantage of our naturally wooded surroundings, and includes the ongoing addition of gardens and other outdoor areas.

The Merriman House is committed to the individualized care of our residents, using the most current geriatric standards. We provide a supportive and comforting environment that nurtures and promotes the maximum level of independence for all our residents. 

Our holistic model of care combines medical and complementary approaches designed to meet our residents' physical and emotional needs. We maintain consistent and open lines of communication to enhance the relationships among our residents, their families and the staff. 

Individual care plans are developed by our staff with active participation of residents and their families. The care plan is designed to focus on maximizing strengths, minimizing limitations and creating an environment of unconditional acceptance for each resident. 

Merriman House's model of care is based on sound clinical foundations that are complemented by a holistic perspective and philosophy. Our vision of the therapeutic environment is one that promotes healing by valuing the individual as they are when we meet them. 

We view our mission as finding the best ways to value each resident, promote respect, and demonstrate unconditional acceptance of every person entrusted to our care.