FAQs

GUIDELINES FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO ASSURE THE SAFETY OF ALL

1. Visiting hours are as posted. Merced Behavioral Center (MBC) recognizes that emergencies and special circumstances do arise and exceptions may be made. Please notify the Program Office in advance for approval from the administration. All visitors must register in our guest book located in the front office or in the Nurses’ station and provide identification.
2. Children under the age of 16 years are not allowed inside the facility. However, arrangements may be made for visitors with children allowing visitation under supervision, with specific residents in the front lobby. Please notify the facility in advance to ensure that proper arrangements can be made. A) Children must be accompanied by an adult, event in the front lobby. They may not be left unsupervised. B) There is a room (ADL/Barbershop) where families may visit while they are eating and/or giving gifts, clothing, etc. Consideration for other families will be encouraged should there be a wait to utilize that room. As always, visitations are allowed in the facility and outside without a wait.
3. The physician may restrict visitation from any visitor, without advance notice to the individual restricted, for therapeutic reasons. In some cases, visitations may be supervised if it is felt that supervision would be of benefit to the resident, at the request of our staff, their conservator or case manager.
4. The facility will restrict visits from any person who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, behaves belligerent, bizarre manner, or who act out with loud/abusive language. Inappropriate/disruptive behaviors or a hostile manner are forbidden. Those who have failed to comply with facility rules/policies previously will also have restricted visits. Should a serious problem(s)/issues(s) arise or repeated failures to comply with rules/policies, visitation will be denied.
5. All items brought into the facility for any resident (e.g. cigarettes, snacks/food, clothing, radios, etc.) must be checked in with staff at the nurse’s station or with their Team Leaders) as all are subject to approval, including food & snacks. Food & snacks are to be consumed in the ADL Room, dining room or outside but not in resident bedrooms. All other items that will stay with the resident will be marked with the resident’s name and inventoried in their chart. After that is done their items will be given to the resident, under normal circumstances it will be within 24 hours of your visit (next business day if it is a radio, MP3 player, iPod, etc as maintenance will engrave at their earliest convenience, they do not work weekends or holidays).
6. Please bring non-caffeinated beverages only. Fountain drinks, open cups or containers are not permitted. Beverages must be 20 oz or less, in plastic, unopened bottles.
7. Our contraband list is strictly enforced. Please carefully read before purchasing or bringing in any items as they will not be admitted into the facility.
8. Residents may not leave the facility without prior approval. It may take up to 2 weeks to get approval for a pass by MBC staff and the resident’s conservator.
9. While visiting, all visitors are expected to abide by all of the rules/policies of the facility. Our staff is here to assist you in having an enjoyable, comfortable visit so please ask questions if you are unsure of anything. We will gladly assist you. No cell phones, cameras or any type of recording device are permissible. All purses and personal bags of any sort must be left in your vehicle. All bags that go into the facility will be thoroughly searched by our staff. Regarding smoking, please follow smoke break scheduled times. Do not give out cigarettes to any resident other than whom you are here to visit. Residents are never permitted to have in their possession lighters or matches. Staff is to light the resident’s cigarettes; please do not light any other resident’s cigarettes. Failure to comply will result in the termination of your visit. Repeated failures to comply will result in denial of future visits.
10. Visitors are not to give items, food, or drinks to any other resident. Doing so may result in future visitations being denied. Any food brought in for your resident must be consumed during your visit. It cannot be saved for later. All that is not consumed should leave with you. All garbage is to be given to staff, e.g. plastic bottles, bags, aluminum, etc.
11. All money – cash, checks or money orders are to be given to staff only. Do not give it to the resident. You are expected to give it to staff in the front office during regular business hours or the nurses’ station when the front office is closed. The resident will get a receipt of the deposit.
12. Former residents may visit, but can only visit in the front lobby, they can not enter the facility and must make an appointment with the front office. Their visitation times are only Monday through Friday from 2:15 to 3:15 pm.
13. Approaching the fence or talking through the fence is strictly prohibited as is loitering on facility premises.
14. All residents have the right to refuse any visitor with the exception of their conservator.
15. There is a 3 person per group limit. Visitors may take turns going in to visit. Please ask for a contraband list if you do not have one.

Visiting hours 7 days a week

11:45 a.m. – 1:25 p.m.
2:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Our social services team assists both residents and their families during transitional periods. They also provide essential information, manage requests and concerns, and help in the care and discharge planning for each resident. They can arrange professional services for Dental, Vision, Podiatry, Audiology, Power of Attorney, Dementia assessment, Psychosocial and Psychiatric Evaluation, and Individual therapy.

We would love for your family pet to come to visit. Please remember to clean up after them and take the proper safety measures at all times. All pets are to be kept on a leash and should have all current vaccinations. Please give advanced notice so we can accommodate the visitors.

Physicians generally see residents upon admission and once every 30 days thereafter. However, our nursing professionals are in constant contact with all of the physicians that visit the facility. Some insurance companies require that physicians visit more often. Check with our nursing staff for further information.

Mail is delivered to residents personally on a daily basis except for weekends and holidays.

Merced Behavioral Center
Attn: ___________________ Room No. _____
1255 B St
Merced, CA 95341

Yes, we have designated smoking times and designated areas.

Parking for our facility is located at our 13th Street entrance.

Yes, services are recommended by a licensed cosmetologist every Wednesday.

We have cable television for our residents in our main room. Telephones are always open and available.

Computer use is offered to our residents through our Activities Department.

Your rehab director can inform you of the rehabilitation program designed for your loved one.

Our primary concern is that your loved one feels comfortable here and that their needs are being met. You should feel secure and at ease with our staff, particularly those providing direct care. If you have any concerns or praise for our staff, please feel free to contact our social services department. They will be able to address any apprehensions you may have regarding any particular staff members.

An Ombudsman is an advocate for residents. They are a third party person NOT employed by the facility who comes by the facility periodically to monitor the activities of the facility. They are not able to tell the facility what to do but are able to be a voice for a resident with a concern.

The Admissions Coordinator will guide you through the necessary forms required on admission and review the rules and regulations regarding Medicare, Medicaid, and various insurances.