Sunnyside Campus

Sunnyside campus is a hub and a home for many older adults. We are a community in a park-like setting in Kitchener that offers programs and services, housing, and long term care.

An outbreak has been declared for Sunnyside Home. Sunnyside Home maintains all protocols to manage this outbreak as quickly and safely as possible and limit the risk of spread of COVID-19. Affected residents living in Sunnyside Home have been isolated and tested at the direction of Public Health and their Substitute Decision Makers have been contacted. Please subscribe to our webpage to stay informed.

Designated caregivers may still visit but must provide proof that they have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine starting December 20, 2021, their second dose starting February 21, 2022 and their third dose starting May 23, 2022. Up to two caregivers may visit with a resident at a time.  If you have questions about visiting Sunnyside Home or special requests, please call 519-893-8494 extension 6868. 

COVID-19 updates

Effective December 29, 2021: An outbreak of COVID-19 has been declared at Sunnyside Home. The total number of staff and non-staff cases is reported daily in the outbreak tab of the Waterloo Region COVID-19 Summary.

Affected residents living in Sunnyside Home have been isolated and tested at the direction of Public Health and their Substitute Decision Makers have been contacted. General visitors and outings for Sunnyside Home residents have been suspended at this time under the direction of the Ministry of Long Term Care.

In addition to the preventative measures already in place, the following are in place for Sunnyside Home:

  • New admissions are on hold
  • All outings have been suspended
  • Residents in outbreak areas must remain in their home areas
  • General visitors are not permitted to Sunnyside Home
  • Essential caregivers may visit, 2 per resident visit at a time
  • Staff are being co-horted work only in their assigned home areas.

All infection control measures remain in place for Sunnyside Home including mandatory vaccinations for all staff, contractors, volunteers, visitors and essential caregivers, active screening and rapid testing upon entry and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment at all times including N95 masks in outbreak areas as directed.

The residents of Sunnyside Home, many staff, and essential caregivers have received their third COVID-19 vaccine dose and vaccine clinics are ongoing. Sunnyside Home is working with Public Health to provide a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for eligible residents who consent to receive it.

Please carefully review the information below for full details on the safety measures in place at Sunnyside Home including enhanced safety measures in place to protect residents, staff and visitors to the home from the Omicron variant.

If you have questions about this information, please send us an email or call the Sunnyside COVID hotline at 519- 893-8494 extension 6868.

Outbreak Protocols

Sunnyside Home has a COVID outbreak plan to reduce the risk of spread. When a resident or staff case of COVID-19 is identified, Sunnyside works closely with Waterloo Region Public Health to identify who that individual has been in contact with in the 48 hours before their symptoms started or the individual tested positive. Residents and staff who are determined to be at higher risk are contacted. All staff and affected residents will be required to isolate and retested for COVID-19 at the direction of Public Health to prevent further spread of illness at Sunnyside or in the community.

All other preventative measures remain in place to ensure the well being and safety of the people who live at Sunnyside and the staff who support them.
Active Screening and Surveillance Testing

All staff, caregivers, support workers, volunteers and visitors must participate in active screening and answer no to a series of questions before entering the home.

Starting on Friday, December 17, Sunnyside Home will require daily rapid antigen tests for all individuals who enter the home regardless of their vaccination status.

Caregivers and visitors will enter Sunnyside Home through the chapel regardless of vaccination status during the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. We ask that general visitors arrive during these hours. Outside of these hours, caregivers may enter the home through the main entrance and provide proof of vaccination status or proof of a negative rapid test result from earlier that day to security.
Visiting and connecting with residents at Sunnyside Home

We recognize that being able to connect with friends and family is essential to the emotional health and well-being of the residents of Sunnyside. 

Our team has developed a plan based on direction of the Ministries of Health and Long Term Care as well as Public Health to support opportunities to connect residents with family, friends and the community in a safe and meaningful way. We invite you to review the information outlined below.

All visitors must participate in active screening and daily rapid antigen testing as required and follow all vaccination guidelines. At this time, only essential caregivers may visit (two at a time per resident). Please be advised if you are an essential visitor or caregiver and visit a resident at Sunnyside during the outbreak, you will not be permitted to visit any other long-term care or retirement homes until the outbreak is declared over.

As a visitor to Sunnyside Home, please do your part to protect residents from COVID-19. Visitors to long-term care must receive a COVID-19 vaccine and follow all public health measures. Monitor yourself for symptoms, do not visit and get tested if you are feeling unwell. Please carefully review the information below before your visit to Sunnyside Home.

If you have any questions about this information, please call the Sunnyside COVID hotline at 519-893-8494 extension 6868. 

Caregivers

Caregivers provide direct care and support to the resident, which may include assisting with meals, mobility, personal hygiene, cognitive stimulation and emotional support. Each resident and/or their substitute decision maker (SDM) may designate up to two caregivers. These visits are unscheduled unless the resident is in self-isolation.

To designate a caregiver for a resident at Sunnyside Home, please complete and submit the Caregiver Designation Form. Please allow for 1-2 business days to support a request to designate a caregiver. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

The following protocols must be adhered to for designated caregivers:

  • Caregivers designated after December 14, must be fully vaccinated to enter the home.
  • Caregivers designated prior to December 14 are required to show proof that they have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of December 20, 2021 and that they have received their second dose as of February 21, 2022. Proof of a third dose will be required as of May 23, 2022.
  • All caregivers must pass active screening and receive a rapid test before they enter Sunnyside Home. Please review the active screening and surveillance testing requirements
  • Caregivers must wear a surgical mask and other personal protective equipment as required (which is provided by Sunnyside Home) at all times while inside the building. If visiting a resident who is symptomatic or in isolation, the caregiver will wear full personal protective equipment as directed by the Ministry of Long-Term Care which includes a mask, goggles, gown and gloves
  • Caregivers will be asked to review and sign off on Sunnyside’s infection prevention and control guidelines for visitors
  • Caregivers are asked to practice hand hygiene upon entering the building, before exiting and frequently during the visit. Hand sanitizer is available throughout the building
  • Food and/or drinks are not permitted during visits at this time. Caregivers are not able to purchase food or drinks from the Sandhills Café or the vending machine
  • Caregivers must be 18 years or older
  • Caregivers must review Sunnyside Homes Visitor Policy and complete mandatory training prior to visiting the Home

For more information, please contact a Team Leader or call the Sunnyside COVID Hotline at 519-893-8494 extension 6868.

Outdoor visits

To protect the health and safety of residents, staff and visitors to Sunnyside Home outdoor visits by General Visitors are temporarily paused at the direction of the Ministry of Long Term Care.
Indoor Visits (General Visitors)

To protect the health and safety of residents, staff and visitors to Sunnyside Home indoor visits by General Visitors are temporarily paused at the direction of the Ministry of Long Term Care.
Essential visitors 

Essential visitors provide support a resident who is critically ill or nearing end of life or are contractors who provide critical care and services.

How to determine if you are considered an essential visitor

Family members with a loved one who is at the end of their life, is very ill or is in an emergency situation will be considered essential. If you have questions about whether this may apply to you, please contact your Team Leader.

The following protocols must be adhered to for essential visitors:

  • Essential visitors must pass active screening and are required to wear a mask and other personal protective equipment as required while inside. If visiting a resident who is symptomatic or in isolation, they will wear full personal protective equipment as directed by the Ministries of Health and Long Term Care which includes a mask, goggles, gown and gloves.
  • Essential visitors a must follow the above requirements for indoor visits. For family members visiting residents who are very ill or at end of their life, the COVID testing requirement will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
  • Essential visits may occur in a resident's room and are currently limited to two essential visitors and two general visitors per resident at a time. You must only visit the resident who requires your essential visit or care.
 Day Absences

Day absences for social purposes are temporarily on hold for all residents at this time, regardless of vaccination status. Essential, medical and compassionate and palliative absences are still permitted, regardless of vaccination status.

If you have any questions about day absences, please contact your Team Leader of a Registered Nurse.
Overnight Absence

Overnight absences for social purposes are on hold for all residents at this time, regardless of vaccination status. Essential, medical and compassionate and palliative absences are still permitted, regardless of vaccination status.

If you have any questions about overnight absences, please contact your Team Leader of a Registered Nurse.

Virtual visits and other ways to connect 

We understand that you may want to connect with your loved one at Sunnyside and we hope that you will. In addition to the visits listed above, we would like to offer some support to keep you connected in other ways:

  • If you are unable to visit in person, we invite you to connect by Skype, FaceTime or Zoom. Call the Sunnyside COVID hotline at 519-893-8494 extension 6868 to arrange a virtual visit
  • Send a letter by email to someone who lives at Sunnyside Home, we will be happy to share it with them. You can also send by mail to our address at 247 Franklin Street North, Kitchener ON. We encourage you to send photos and pictures along with your letters.
  • If you would like to drop off a care package, please leave it in the box located between the two sets of main entry doors between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Only non-perishable items will be accepted. Please make sure the package is clearly labelled with the first and last name of the person living at Sunnyside Home.
Isolation and testing
  • Residents or staff who develop symptoms of a respiratory illness while in the home will immediately be isolated and tested for COVID-19
  • If a resident tests positive for COVID-19, they will be isolated from other residents
  • For staff who test positive for COVID-19, contact is traced back to prevent spread, and they will not be permitted to return to work until approved by Public Health
  • All staff, contractors, caregivers, volunteers and visitors are rapid tested for COVID-19 daily
  • All new and returning residents receive a PCR test upon admission and are further tested and isolated following the Provincial guidelines.
New residents to Sunnyside Home

When you become a member of the Sunnyside community, we will do our very best to introduce ourselves, make you comfortable and get to know you. We look forward to continuing your care, introducing you to new neighbours, and providing you with opportunities to socialize safely where possible.

Ensuring the health and safety of everyone who lives at Sunnyside requires that we take preventative measures for new residents arriving at Sunnyside Home in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

  • Residents who are admitted to Sunnyside Home or returning from another healthcare facility will be isolated upon return until they have fulfilled the testing requirements based on their situation.
  • Residents transferring from another healthcare facility that is not in outbreak with no symptoms or exposure will receive a PCR test prior to admission or on arrival and will need to isolate until a negative result is received.
  • All other residents will receive a PCR test prior to admission or on arrival and another test on day seven. Isolation is required until a negative result is confirmed from the test on day seven.
Additional safety precautions
  • Staff, visitors, volunteers and contractors are required to wear a surgical mask and other personal protective equipment as required at all times inside Sunnyside Home.
  • Staff will continue to wear personal protective equipment as directed by the Ministry of Health appropriate to their role, duties, and contact with others. This includes a surgical mask or N95 mask and may include a face shield, goggles, gloves and gown.  
  • Sunnyside will continue to maintain a sufficient supply of this equipment.
  • Staff, volunteers, contractors and general visitors are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Caregivers will require proof of their first dose by December 20, their second dose by February 21 and their third dose by May 23, 2022.
  • Staff and residents continue to practice physical distancing and stringent hand hygiene.
  • Measures are in place to support physical distance in dining rooms and common areas if an outbreak is declared.
  • Recreation programs are being offered in smaller groups to home area cohorts while indoors provided the home area is not in outbreak.
  • Residents, tenants and clients remain in their program areas wherever possible and do not travel between long-term care, supportive housing, the day program or the Sunnyside Wellness Centre.
  • Our team works closely with Waterloo Region Public Health to ensure the highest standards of infection prevention and control and maintains an onsite infection prevention and control specialist.
Service changes in Sunnyside Home, Sunnyside Wellness Centre, and Dementia Services
Sunnyside Home

Hair Salon

Reflections Beauty and Barber Shop is currently closed and will re-open when the outbreak is declared over by Public Health.

Volunteer Services

Sunnyside Home is pleased to welcome back volunteers with enhanced safety measures in place. Volunteers are required to follow all screening, testing and infection control procedures.

Care Conferences

Care conferences are scheduled by the Team Leader of Registered nurse. Care conferences can be scheduled virtually or in person. Visitors attending care conferences must comply with all visitor guidelines, testing, screening and infection control procedures. 

Attending Physicians/Nurse Practitioners

Physicians and Nurse Practitioners are still providing support to the Home while following all screening, testing and infection prevention and control guidelines.

Fabulous Finds Gift Shop

The Fabulous Finds Gift Shop is currently closed and will re-open when the outbreak is declared over by Public Health.

Convalescent Care and Respite

Convalescent care and respite at Sunnyside Home are not accepting new admissions at this time.

Sunnyside Wellness Centre

The Sunnyside Wellness Centre is temporarily closed for all services with the exception of physiotherapy and foot care services by appointment due to increasing numbers of COVID-19 in our community and across the Province.

Community Alzheimer Programs

All day programs, dinner club and overnight stay are temporarily closed due to increasing numbers of COVID-19 in our community and across the Province.

Young Onset Dementia Association

The Young Onset Dementia Association is temporarily closed due to increasing numbers of COVID-19 in our community and across the Province.
More information on COVID-19

For more information, please visit these trusted sources:

COVID-19: Guidance for the Health Sector

Latest local information on the Novel Coronavirus

Public Health: How to stop the spread of germs (PDF poster)

Public Health Ontario resources (resources available in multiple languages)

How to self monitor (PDF)

How to self-isolate (PDF)

Services on campus

Sunnyside Home long term care
Sunnyside Home is a fully accredited long term care home operated by the Region of Waterloo. It has 263 rooms, with courtyards, gardens and a walking path around campus.
Sunnyside Supportive Housing
Sunnyside campus is home to a number of older adults who live independently with a small amount of help. Tenants in these one and two-bedroom apartments receive subsidy and a service package that meets their needs.
Sunnyside Wellness Centre
The Sunnyside Wellness Centre offers older adults a welcoming and barrier-free space to exercise at their own pace. It has equipment, a registered kinesiologist, and fitness classes. The center also offers services such as physiotherapy, registered massage therapy, hydrotherapy and foot care. View the full list of services. 
Convalescent Care
Convalescent Care provides short-term care and support at Sunnyside Home in Kitchener to help people regain their strength and independence after an illness or surgery. 
Dementia Services
The Region of Waterloo offers programs and services to support the needs of persons living with dementia in the community and their care partners.
Fabulous Finds gift shop

Run by volunteers, the Fabulous Finds gift shop is on the main floor of Sunnyside Home and is open to the public seven days a week. The gift shop sells:

  • Seasonal items
  • Home décor
  • Clothing and accessories
  • Bath products
  • Stationary
  • Kitchen accessories
  • Specialty food

Proceeds are used to purchase supplies, specialized equipment and other enhancements that benefit those served by the campus.

Hours of operation

Monday to Friday 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Thursday Evening 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

 
Sandhills Café

Sandhills Café is on the main floor of Sunnyside Home. It is open to the public every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Café serves meals, snacks and beverages. Hot and cold menu items (view sample menu) are offered as well as a selection of specialty coffee and baked goods.

Hours of operation

Open daily including holidays
8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
4:00 p.m to 6:30 p.m.

 
Sunnyside Auxiliary Tuck Shop 

The Sunnyside Auxiliary Tuck Shop is on the main floor of Sunnyside Home. Volunteers run the tuck shop, selling hot and cold beverages, baked goods, snacks and personal care items. Proceeds are used to purchase equipment and enhancements for those served by the campus.

Hours of operation

Open daily except holidays
1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

 
Sunnyside Foundation
The Sunnyside Foundation is a registered charity that raises funds to enhance the lives of older adults in Waterloo Region. Since 1998, we have raised over $2.5 million for programs, services and equipment. The foundation welcomes donations; every dollar makes a difference. You can also get involved by taking part in or volunteering at fundraisers. 
Affordable housing for older adults
Sunnyside campus is home to older adults who live in apartment buildings at 233, 235 and 239 Franklin St. N. These units are owned and managed by the Waterloo Region Housing and are for people who cannot afford market rent. For more information and to apply, visit Find affordable housing. 

Protecting your privacy: We respect your right to confidential care. Please see our Information Practices Statement for details.

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