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An enteric outbreak has been declared for the Shantz Hill Home Area at Sunnyside Home. Prior to visiting a resident at Sunnyside Home, please review the precautions for visitors listed below.
General Visitors may visit indoors with residents at Sunnyside Home. If you have questions about visiting Sunnyside Home or special requests, please call 519-893-8494 extension 6868.
Precautions for visitors to Sunnyside Home
The comfort and support provided by family and friends during visits is very important to the residents who live in Sunnyside Home. Many people living in long-term care settings however, have weakened immune systems and should not be exposed to viruses and other contagious illnesses.
Please do not visit if you are experiencing one or more of the following:
Cough
Cold
Fever
Nausea and/or vomiting
Diarrhea
If you are visiting, please wear a mask at all times and use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when you enter and leave Sunnyside Home or the home areas.
If you plan to visit a home area where there is an outbreak, please visit one resident only and only in their room. Please exit the building promptly after your visit. Upon arrival please see the nurse for further direction prior to visiting a resident.
Thank you for working with us to keep Sunnyside Home as safe as possible.
COVID-19 updates
There are currently no active outbreaks of COVID-19 at Sunnyside Home.
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
The Province has directed long-term care homes to declare an outbreak if the home has two or more lab-confirmed cases within a 14-day period, that have an epidemiological link and where at least one person could have reasonably acquired their infection in the home. General visits indoors and outdoors as well as absences and window visits must be suspended for the area in outbreak and no new admissions to that area will occur until the outbreak is over.
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. Residents and staff who are determined to be at risk are contacted. All staff and affected residents will be re-tested for COVID-19. Those who are determined to be higher risk will self-isolate for 14 days from the date of exposure to monitor for symptoms and prevent further spread of illness at Sunnyside or in the community.
Sunnyside Home has developed a COVID outbreak plan to reduce the risk of spread. The plan includes COVID testing for all staff and isolation and testing for residents who have been exposed or are experiencing of symptoms of respiratory illness. 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, contractors, caregivers and visitors must participate in active screening and answer no to a series of questions before entering the Sunnyside Home or visiting outdoors.
The following requirements are in place for individuals entering Sunnyside Home:
Individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (more than 14 days since their last dose) do not need to receive a rapid test before entering Sunnyside. Proof of vaccination status must be provided when entering the home for each visit. Sunnyside will accept a paper or electronic copy of your second dose receipt as proof.
Individuals who are unvaccinated, can not provide proof or do not wish to disclose their vaccination status must receive a rapid test. General visitors are required to wait 20 minutes to receive a negative result before entering Sunnyside Home.
Children over the age of 12 visiting Sunnyside Home are required to provide proof of vaccination status or receive a rapid test.
Children between the ages of 3 and 12 are required to be rapid tested and wait 20 minutes for a negative result before visiting indoors.
Contractors, caregivers and indoor 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.
As a visitor to Sunnyside Home, please do your part to protect residents from COVID-19. Visitors to long-term care are encouraged to 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.
All visitors must participate in active screening and surveillance testing as required. Please carefully review the above information 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 an unlimited number of 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:
All caregivers must pass active screening. Please review the active screening and surveillance test 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 Ministries of Health and 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
Due to colder weather, outdoor visits will not be available after October 12, 2021.
Outdoor visitors must adhere to the following requirements for outdoor visits:
All outdoor visitors must pass active screening. Visitors must report to the main entrance, put on a surgical/procedural mask and check in with security for active screening.
Residents and outdoor visitors may hug briefly, however physical distance must be maintained between for the remainder of the visit
Physical distance must be maintained between groups of visitors
Face coverings must be worn by general visitors at all times during the visit
Residents are encouraged to wear a surgical procedural mask during visits if it can be tolerated
Children may visit outdoors if they can follow all of the above requirements. Children under two are not considered one of the two general visitors
Designated Caregivers who support residents with essential care needs are permitted to join these visits
Visits will be 30 minutes long and must be booked at least 24 hours in advance
Food and drink are not permitted at outdoor visits
Pets are permitted at outdoor visits, advance notice is required
Washroom facilities at Sunnyside are not available for use by outdoor visitors.
If the visit cannot occur due to inclement weather, heat warnings (temperature of 26 degrees Celsius or higher) or other critical factors that affect resident health and well being, a window visit will be offered or the visit will be rescheduled
If a visitor is not able to attend a scheduled visit, a new visit will need to be booked based on availability.
If you have special requests for your outdoor visit such as a larger group (over five people) or a celebration, please contact Sunnyside at 519-893-8494 extension 6868 so we can work with you to accommodate a safe and memorable visiting experience.
Indoor Visits (General Visitors)
General visitors visit with a resident indoors for social reasons. This includes children. Up to two general visitors and two caregivers may visit with residents at the same time. Children two years old and under are not included in this amount.
The following physical distancing requirements are in place for indoor visitors:
Indoor visitors who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (more than 14 days since last dose) may have close physical contact with the resident they are visiting if the resident is also fully immunized.
Indoor visitors who are not fully vaccinated, unable to provide proof of vaccination status or do not wish to disclose vaccination status must maintain physical distance from the resident they are visiting. Brief hugs are permitted.
Indoor visitors must wear a surgical mask and other personal protective equipment as required at all times while inside Sunnyside Home. Indoor visits may occur in the resident’s room or home area, on the balcony, in the seating area outside of the Kenneth Building elevators, in the courtyard or outside. At this time, visitors are not permitted in the Sandhills Café. Physical distance must be maintained with other residents and other groups of visitors.
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.
Short stay absence - leaving the home during the day
Residents may leave Sunnyside Home for a short stay (day) absence for health related reasons, essential trips, compassionate leave, social or other non-essential reasons.
Please contact your team leader or a Registered Nurse at least 48 hours in advance to arrange a short stay absence and review the safety and screening requirements.
The following requirements must be adhered to for a short term (day) absence:
Residents must wear a mask (if tolerated). Anyone in close contact with the resident must also wear a mask
Visitors accompanying a resident on a short absence must follow the active screening and surveillance testing requirements
Staff will review the importance of public health measures with the resident and the person accompanying them prior to going out, including the importance of physical distancing. Staff will also provide residents with a copy of the Safety Poster
Residents will be actively screened upon return to Sunnyside
Outpatient medical appointments or emergency room visits that take place over a single night are considered a short term absence
If Sunnyside Home 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.
Temporary absence - leaving the home for one or more nights
Residents may leave the property for a temporary absence of one or more days for social or non-essential reasons.
Please contact your team leader or a Registered Nurse at least 48 hours in advance to arrange a temporary absence.
The following requirements must be adhered to for a temporary absence (one or more days for personal reasons):
Visitors accompanying a resident on a temporary absence must follow the active screening and surveillance testing requirements
All requests for a temporary absence must be reviewed and approved by the Infection Control Coordinator (or delegate) in advance. A case by case risk assessment will consider the following:
The Home’s ability to support self-isolation upon return
Local disease transmission and activity
The risk associated with the planned activities
The resident’s ability to comply with local and provincial policies and safety protocols
If the Home denies a request for a temporary absence this will be communicated in writing to the resident or substitute decision maker (as appropriate), including the rationale for the decision
If the request is granted, staff will review the importance of public health measures with the resident and the person accompanying them prior to going out, including maintaining physical distancing and will provide residents with a copy the Safety Poster
Residents must be actively screened upon return and will be required to receive a PCR test for COVID-19 and self-isolate until they have received a negative result.
If Sunnyside Home 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 become symptomatic 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 and visitors who are not fully immunized are rapid tested for COVID-19 daily
All new and returning residents receive a PCR test upon admission to the home. Isolation and further testing may be required based on when the home receives the result and the resident’s immunization status.
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:
All new residents will need to be tested for COVID-19 upon admission.
New residents will be actively screened upon arrival. Sunnyside staff will meet new residents and their family member at the main entrance to welcome them into our care and complete the required paperwork. Two support people may be designated to assist the resident to move in. These individuals must follow the requirements for active screening and surveillance testing.
A new resident who is fully vaccinated and has received a COVID-19 PCR test with a negative result will be welcomed into their permanent room. Fully vaccinated means that the resident has received both doses of the Pfizer, Moderna or Astra Zeneca or one dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine 14 or more days ago.
A new resident who is fully vaccinated but is awaiting the results of a COVID-19 PCR test will be escorted by staff to a private room designated for self-isolation. When a negative test result has been received the resident will be welcomed into their permanent room. While the resident is in self-isolation, staff will need to wear personal protective equipment including a mask, face shield, gloves and gown.
New residents who are not fully vaccinated will need to self-isolate for 10 days. This means that they will remain in their room for all care and meals. All staff who enter the room to provide care must wear personal protective equipment. That includes a gown, gloves, mask and face shield. The resident will receive a second PCR test at 8 days. If after 10 days of self-isolation, a new resident does not have any symptoms of respiratory illness and has received a COVID-19 PCR test with a negative result, they will be welcomed to their permanent room.
Additional safety precautions
Staff and visitors are required to wear a surgical mask and other personal protective equipment as required 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 mask, face shield, goggles, gloves and gown.
Sunnyside will continue to maintain a sufficient supply of this equipment.
Staff who are not fully vaccinated are required to work at only one long-term care home during the pandemic to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19.
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.
Recreation programs are being offered to home area cohorts while indoors.
Residents, tenants and clients remain in their program areas wherever possible and do not travel between long-term care, supportive house, 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 closed until further notice. Light hairdressing services are available on the home areas. Please contact your team leader for more information.
Volunteer Services. Only volunteer services that are deemed essential will be employed, examples of this might include comfort care volunteers for end of life support.
Care Conferences.In-person care conferences with people from outside of Sunnyside Home are on hold unless it is deemed essential. In these circumstances, these conferences will be done by phone or video call whenever possible.
Attending Physicians/Nurse Practitioners. Physicians and Nurse Practitioners are still providing support to the Home however they will be adapting their rounds to minimize any potential exposure. Wherever possible they will be providing support remotely.
Fabulous Finds Gift Shop. The Fabulous Finds Gift Shop is closed until further notice.
Convalescent Care and Respite. Convalescent care and respite are not accepting new admissions at this time.
Sunnyside Wellness Centre
The Sunnyside Wellness Centre is open for physiotherapy services, hearing clinics and foot care by appointment only. All services other services have been suspended. This will remain until further notice.
Community Alzheimer Programs
All day programs and overnight stay are open and are operating at a lower capacity. Additional safety measures are in place. At this time, the dinner club program remains closed.
Young Onset Dementia Association
The Young Onset Dementia Association open and operating at a reduced capacity with enhanced safety measures.
More information on COVID-19
For more information, please visit these trusted sources:
When you are no longer able to live at home, Sunnyside Home offers a warm, friendly atmosphere, modern amenities and quality care. Making sure you have the best quality of life is important to us. We look forward to getting to know you and helping you feel at home.
Sunnyside Home is a long-term care home owned by the Region of Waterloo in the Stanley Park area of Kitchener. Our 263 residents are part of a vibrant community in a park-like setting on a campus of services for older adults. Our grounds have gardens, walkways and courtyards to enjoy. There are also many opportunities to get involved so you can continue doing things that make you happy or try something new.
This video will give you a glimpse into what life is like at Sunnyside.
Vision, mission and values
Sunnyside Home is part of Seniors' Services, a division of the Region of Waterloo.
Vision
We are a caring community where every person can live their best life.
Mission
We serve with the highest quality of care and service.
We engage to create an inclusive, thriving and welcoming community.
We inspire people to live hopeful, happy and healthy lives.
Values
Seniors' Services is guided by the values of the Region of Waterloo.
We are committed to:
Service - We provide excellent public service and strive to understand and meet the needs of all those we serve.
Integrity - We practice high standards of ethical behaviour and conduct ourselves with an openness and transparency that inspires trust.
Respect - We create an environment where people are included, valued and treated with dignity.
Innovation - We foster an environment of leadership, excellence and creativity.
Collaboration - We build internal and external relationships to achieve common goals and resolve differences.
The WWLHIN can help you determine if you need long term care, or if you are able to stay in the community with care and support in your home. If it becomes too difficult for you to live on your own, they can offer long-term care options.
Rates, services, and amenities
Sunnyside Home offers many services and amenities that make you feel safe and comfortable while living here.
Room types and rates
Private rooms are occupied by one resident with a private washroom.
Basic rooms are occupied by two residents with a shared washroom.
The WWLHIN can help you determine if you need long term care, or if you are able to stay in the community with care and support in your home. If it becomes too difficult for you to live on your own, they can offer long-term care options.
Every year we ask residents and family members at Sunnyside Home how we're doing. You can read what nearly 200 residents and families had to say about us in our most recent satisfaction survey.
Come in to Sunnyside Home! Call 519-893-8494, ext. 6360 to schedule a tour.
Get involved
There are many ways to get involved in the Sunnyside community, for residents and others who would like to lend a hand to older adults. Click below to learn more about each opportunity.
Donate to the Sunnyside Foundation
The Sunnyside Foundation raises money to enhance the well-being and quality of life for people served by Sunnyside Seniors' Services.
The Foundation has raised over $2.5 million since 1 in support of projects and programs.
Join the Joint Resident, Family and Volunteer Advisory Committee
This committee gives counsel and advice to Sunnyside staff on planning activities and the operation of the home. It is made up of five residents, three family members and two volunteers.
Attend Residents' Council meetings
The Residents' Council provides an opportunity for residents to be involved and contribute to the decisions which impact their lives.
Residents' Council at Sunnyside Home meets monthly on every floor. All residents are welcome to attend and to share feedback and suggestions.
Attend Family Council meetings
Family members and friends of residents of Sunnyside meet monthly to support each other and to receive updates from the home's leadership team.
The family council hosts annual education sessions on topics of interest to its members.
