Merkel Nursing Center
1704 N. 1st, Merkel, TX 79536
Based on 2026 CMS Data
Official Government Ratings
Health Inspections
Frequency & severity of deficiencies
Staffing Levels
Nurse hours per resident per day
Quality Measures
Clinical outcomes & care quality
CMS Abuse/Neglect Flag
This facility has been flagged by CMS for abuse or neglect concerns. Please research carefully and contact the facility for current information.
Vetting This Facility? Get Answers They Don't Volunteer
Free guide: the exact questions to ask Merkel Nursing Center, how to pull the public records (ownership, inspections, penalties), and how to request the info that isn't online — like the medical director.
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Care Quality Indicators
Lower is better
Lower is better
Lower is better
How Merkel Nursing Center Compares
Merkel Nursing Center is a 65-bed for-profit nursing facility in Merkel, Texas. It holds an overall CMS rating of 1 out of 5 stars, below the Texas average of 2.6 stars. Its lowest sub-rating is health inspections at 1 star. Its rate of high-risk residents with pressure ulcers (14.8%) is above the Texas average of 3.8% — a measure worth asking the staff about. With 65 certified beds, it has notable available capacity at roughly 29% occupied.
By the numbers vs. Texas average
- Long-stay antipsychotic medication use: 17.8% — worse than the Texas average of 9.6% (86% higher).
- Falls with major injury: 4.6% — worse than the Texas average of 3.3% (40% higher).
- High-risk pressure ulcers: 14.8% — worse than the Texas average of 3.8% (288% higher).
CMS has flagged this facility with an abuse icon, indicating a recent citation involving abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property. This is an important point to raise directly during any tour or call.
Comparisons use CMS Care Compare data (updated September 9, 2026) measured against Texas averages across 1177 facilities tracked by ElderVoice.
Questions to Ask Merkel Nursing Center
Use these facility-specific questions when calling admissions, touring the building, or comparing Merkel Nursing Center with other nursing homes in Merkel.
What incident led to the CMS abuse icon for Merkel Nursing Center, and what changed afterward?
Ask for the citation date, plan of correction, staff retraining steps, and how leadership monitors for repeat issues.
How is Merkel Nursing Center addressing its health inspections rating?
CMS currently rates this category 1 out of 5 stars, so ask what specific improvements are underway and when the next survey update is expected.
What is Merkel Nursing Center doing to reduce long-stay antipsychotic medication use?
Long-stay antipsychotic medication use is 17.8% here versus 9.6% across Texas. Lower is generally better for this CMS measure.
What is Merkel Nursing Center doing to reduce falls with major injury?
Falls with major injury is 4.6% here versus 3.3% across Texas. Lower is generally better for this CMS measure.
Why is Merkel Nursing Center's occupancy below many full facilities?
The facility reports roughly 29% occupancy across 65 certified beds. Lower occupancy can mean availability, but families should ask whether renovations, staffing, reputation, or service mix are factors.
How do residents and families raise concerns at Merkel Nursing Center?
CMS data does not list an active family or resident council here, so ask how care-plan concerns, complaints, and follow-up are tracked.
The Senior Community Around Merkel
Merkel sits in Taylor County, where adults 65 and older make up about 14.5% of the population — a share of seniors in line with Texas as a whole (12.5% statewide). The area's median household income is lower than the state average, reflecting a more affordable area.
- Residents 65+
- 19,898 (14.5%)
- Median age
- 32.6 years
- Median household income
- $55,568
- Median home value
- $137,600
Demographics for Taylor County from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates. Provided as local context for families comparing care options near Merkel.
Facility Details
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