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.

COVID-19 Information and Updates

As the  COVID-19  virus continues to evolve and circulate, Sunnyside Home will continue to review and evaluate its response to pandemic management. This means reviewing all available evidence and best practice as well as consulting with residents, family and staff to find an approach that balances health and safety with quality of life. 

Pandemic Response and Visiting Information 

There are currently no active outbreaks at Sunnyside Home.

We would like to remind visitors to monitor themselves for symptoms and not to visit if feeling unwell or cannot answer no to all questions on the COVID-19 screening tool. All preventative measures continue throughout the home to reduce the risk of COVID-19 and other illness spreading at Sunnyside. 

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 before their symptoms started or the individual tested positive. Residents and staff who are determined to be at higher risk are contacted and monitored for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. All staff and affected residents may be required to isolate and for COVID-19 at the direction of Public Health to prevent further spread of illness at Sunnyside or in the community.

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

Sunnyside Home requires daily rapid antigen tests for all individuals who enter the home.

Caregivers, visitors, volunteers, support workers and contractors will enter Sunnyside Home through the main entrance during to complete active screening and proceed to Heritage Hall to complete a rapid antigen test

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. Please review our Public Policy for Visiting.

All visitors must participate in active screening and daily rapid antigen testing as required.

As a visitor to Sunnyside Home, please do your part to protect residents from COVID-19. 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 caregivers to provide this support. These visits are unscheduled.

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:

  • 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) while inside the building. Masks are required in all common areas of the home and in shared rooms at the end of the hallways. Masks are recommended but not required when visiting with a resident in a private room or designated private visiting space.
  • 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
  • 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

Outdoor visitors are required to screen in at the main entrance before their visit. Rapid testing is not required for outdoor visits.

Masks are recommended but not required when visiting with residents outdoors. Masks will still be available to anyone who wishes to wear one outside and we continue to encourage safe physical distancing at all times. 

These visits do not need to be scheduled.

Indoor Visits (General Visitors)

A general visitor visits for social purposes and is not a designated caregiver.

General visitors may visit residents provided the resident is not in isolation and the home area is not in outbreak. General visitors must enter through the main entrance, complete active screening, receive a rapid antigen test for COVID-19 and wait 20 minutes for their result before entering the home for a visit.

General visitors must wear a surgical mask and other personal protective equipment as required (which is provided by Sunnyside Home) while inside the building. Masks are required in all common areas of the home and in shared rooms at the end of the hallways. Masks are recommended but not required when visiting with a resident in a private room or designated private visiting space.

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.
 Day Absences

Please contact the Team Leader or Registered Nurse at least 48 hours in advance to arrange for an absence.

The following requirements must be adhered to for day absences:

  • Residents will be actively screened upon return
  • Please inform the team leader or Registered Nurse as soon as possible if a resident was in contact with someone who subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 while they were away from the home.
  • It is strongly recommended that residents wear a mask when on an absence outside the home (if tolerated).
  • Visitors accompanying a resident on a short absence must follow the active screening and surveillance testing requirements.
  • Staff will review public health recommendations with the resident and the person accompanying them prior to going out. This includes avoiding large social gatherings, following masking and physical distancing as much as possible.

If the home area is in outbreak or if the resident is in self-isolation, all absences will be postponed until such time that the outbreak is over, or the resident is out of self-isolation.

Overnight Absence

Please contact the Team Leader or Registered Nurse at least 48 hours in advance to arrange for an absence.

The following requirements must be adhered to for day absences:

  • Residents will be actively screened upon return
  • Please inform the team leader or Registered Nurse as soon as possible if a resident was in contact with someone who subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 while they were away from the home.
  • Visitors accompanying a resident on an overnight absence must follow the active screening and surveillance testing requirements
  • Staff will review public health recommendations with the resident and the person accompanying them prior to going out. This includes avoiding large social gatherings, following masking and physical distancing as much as possible.

If the home area is in outbreak or if the resident is in self-isolation, all absences will be postponed until such time that the outbreak is over, or the resident is out of self-isolation.

 

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 consult with the infection control team to determine a safe return to work
  • All staff, contractors, caregivers, volunteers and visitors are rapid tested for COVID-19 daily
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 not be tested or isolated for COVID-19 unless they are experiencing symptoms or moving from another long-term care home or healthcare facility in outbreak
  • New residents experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or who have tested positive will be isolated according to Public Health Guidelines.
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.
  • New staff and students at Sunnyside Home are required to demonstrate that they have received the primary series of a Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine
  • 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.
  • 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 open with enhanced safety measures in place. To inquire about pricing or book an appointment, please leave a message 519-893-8394 extension 6329 and the team will return your call. 

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 open from Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30am to 3:30pm.

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

The Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge Day Programs are open with enhanced safety measures in place. 

Young Onset Dementia Association

The Young Onset Dementia Association is open with enhanced safety measures in place.

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
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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